Grandma's Hearty Canadian Pea Soup
This comforting Pea Soup recipe is a cherished family classic passed down through generations. Packed with wholesome flavor, it features a delightful combination of dried peas, smoky salt pork, and aromatic vegetables. The simplicity of the ingredients allows the natural essence of the peas to shine, making it a perfect dish for cold evenings or as a nourishing meal any time of year. Feel free to swap in a ham bone for added richness and depth. Serve it hot with crusty bread for a truly heartwarming experience that evokes the love of home and tradition.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
11
Ingredients
Ingredients
dried peas
1 lb (washed and soaked overnight)
water
8 cups (for cooking)
salt pork
1/2 lb (all in one piece)
onion
1 (large, chopped)
celery
1/2 cup (chopped)
carrot
1/4 cup (grated)
fresh parsley leaves
1/4 cup (fresh, chopped)
bay leaf
1 (whole)
dried savory
1 teaspoon (as spice)
salt
to taste (as needed)
black pepper
to taste (freshly ground)
Instructions
1
Begin by washing and sorting the dried peas. Once cleaned, soak them in a large bowl of cold water overnight to hydrate.
2
The next day, drain the peas and place them in a large heavy-bottomed pot. Add 8 cups of water, the salt pork, chopped onion, celery, grated carrot, chopped parsley, bay leaf, dried savory, and 1 teaspoon of salt.
3
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil over medium-high heat. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and allow the soup to simmer uncovered for about 2 hours, or until the peas are very tender. Stir occasionally and add extra water if necessary to maintain your desired soup consistency.
4
After cooking, carefully remove the piece of salt pork from the soup. Chop it into bite-sized pieces and return it to the pot. Discard the bay leaf.
5
Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with additional salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired. Serve hot, garnished with extra chopped parsley if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Grandma's Hearty Canadian Pea Soup?
It is a cherished family classic featuring dried peas, smoky salt pork, and aromatic vegetables, traditionally served on cold evenings.
How many dried peas are needed for this recipe?
The recipe requires 1 lb of dried peas.
Do I need to soak the peas before cooking?
Yes, the dried peas should be washed, sorted, and soaked in cold water overnight.
How much water is used for cooking the soup?
The recipe calls for 8 cups of water.
What type of meat is used in the traditional recipe?
The recipe uses 1/2 lb of salt pork, kept in one piece during the initial cooking.
Can I substitute the salt pork with something else?
Yes, you can swap the salt pork for a ham bone to add richness and depth.
What vegetables are included in the base?
The soup includes one large chopped onion, 1/2 cup of chopped celery, and 1/4 cup of grated carrot.
How should the carrot be prepared?
The carrot should be grated rather than chopped.
What herb is used for the traditional French Canadian flavor?
One teaspoon of dried savory is used as a primary seasoning.
How much fresh parsley is required?
You will need 1/4 cup of fresh, chopped parsley leaves.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup should simmer for about 2 hours until the peas are very tender.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
No, the instructions specify allowing the soup to simmer uncovered.
What should I do if the soup becomes too thick?
You can add extra water during the simmering process to maintain your desired consistency.
When do I remove the bay leaf?
The bay leaf should be discarded after the 2-hour simmering period is complete.
What happens to the salt pork after cooking?
It is removed from the pot, chopped into bite-sized pieces, and then returned to the soup.
When should I add salt and pepper?
One teaspoon of salt is added at the start, and additional salt and freshly ground black pepper are added to taste at the end.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Serve the soup hot with crusty bread and an optional garnish of fresh parsley.
Is this a vegetarian recipe?
While the standard recipe uses salt pork, it is tagged as having a vegetarian option if the meat is omitted.
What heat level is used to start the soup?
The mixture should be brought to a rolling boil over medium-high heat before reducing to a simmer.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 11 ingredients total, including seasonings.
Is the onion sliced or chopped?
The onion should be large and chopped.
What kind of pot is best for this soup?
A large heavy-bottomed pot is recommended.
How many bay leaves are needed?
One whole bay leaf is used during the simmering process.
Does the recipe use dried or fresh savory?
The recipe specifies 1 teaspoon of dried savory.
How much celery do I need?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of chopped celery.
What is the first step of the instructions?
The first step is to wash and sort the dried peas, then soak them overnight.
Can I use freshly ground pepper?
Yes, the recipe suggests seasoning with freshly ground black pepper to taste.
Is this recipe considered a family heirloom?
Yes, it is described as a cherished family classic passed down through generations.
What is the general description of the flavor?
It is described as having a wholesome flavor that allows the natural essence of the peas to shine.
What tags are associated with this dish?
Tags include soup, pea soup, comfort food, French Canadian, family recipe, hearty, and traditional.