Hearty Ham Hock Lentil and Pea Soup
Warm your soul with this robust Hearty Ham Hock Lentil and Pea Soup, perfect for a chilly evening or a cozy family gathering. This nourishing dish brings together earthy lentils and split peas with the smoky richness of ham hocks, creating a delightful blend of flavors and textures. Serve it alongside crusty rye bread for dipping, and finish off the meal with a light dessert of apples and cheese to cleanse your palate. Each spoonful is packed with wholesome goodness, making it a comforting staple for any home cook.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
16
Ingredients
Ingredients
vegetable oil
1 tablespoon (none)
Spanish onions
1 1/2 cups (chopped)
garlic
1 1/2 teaspoons (minced)
water
12 cups (none)
dried brown lentils
1 cup (none)
dried split peas
1 cup (none)
smoked ham hocks
4 (about 3 3/4 lbs) (none)
salt
1 tablespoon (none)
lemon juice
1 tablespoon (none)
dried thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon (none)
dried sage
1/2 teaspoon (none)
dried marjoram
1/2 teaspoon (none)
bay leaf
1-2 (none)
carrots
1 1/2 cups (diced)
celery
1 1/4 cups (chopped)
lemon slice
as needed (for garnish)
Instructions
1
In a heavy Dutch oven, preferably cast iron, heat the vegetable oil over medium heat.
2
Add the chopped Spanish onions and minced garlic, sautéing for about 5 minutes until the onions are softened and translucent.
3
Stir in the dried brown lentils, split peas, smoked ham hocks, salt, lemon juice, dried thyme, dried sage, dried marjoram, and bay leaf. Pour in the 12 cups of water.
4
Bring the mixture to a vigorous boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let it simmer for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
5
After the initial simmer, add the diced carrots and chopped celery. Bring the soup back to a boil, then reduce the heat again and simmer uncovered for 40 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
6
Once cooking is complete, carefully remove the ham hocks and bay leaf from the pot. Discard the bay leaf.
7
Allow the ham hocks to cool slightly, then remove the meat from the fat and bones. Chop the meat into bite-sized pieces and return it to the soup.
8
Stir everything together and heat gently if necessary, then ladle into bowls and float a lemon slice on top of each serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Ham Hock Lentil and Pea Soup?
It is a robust and nourishing soup made with earthy lentils, split peas, and smoky ham hocks, perfect for cold weather.
What are the primary ingredients in this soup?
The main ingredients include vegetable oil, Spanish onions, garlic, water, dried brown lentils, dried split peas, smoked ham hocks, carrots, and celery.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup simmers in two stages: first for 1 hour and 15 minutes covered, then for another 40 minutes uncovered after adding vegetables.
What type of lentils should I use?
This recipe specifically calls for dried brown lentils to achieve the correct texture and flavor.
Do I need to soak the split peas before cooking?
No, the recipe instructions state to add the dried split peas directly to the Dutch oven without prior soaking.
What is the best type of pot to use for this recipe?
A heavy Dutch oven, preferably made of cast iron, is recommended for even heat distribution.
How do I prepare the ham hocks?
Add them whole to the soup to cook. Once the soup is done, remove them, let them cool, then strip the meat from the fat and bones before returning the chopped meat to the pot.
What herbs and spices are included?
The recipe uses dried thyme, dried sage, dried marjoram, a bay leaf, and salt for seasoning.
Why is lemon juice added to the soup?
Lemon juice is added to provide a touch of acidity that balances the smoky richness of the ham hocks and the earthiness of the pulses.
When should I add the carrots and celery?
Add the diced carrots and chopped celery after the initial 75-minute simmer of the lentils, peas, and ham hocks.
How much water is required for this recipe?
You will need 12 cups of water to properly cook the lentils, peas, and ham hocks.
What serves as a good garnish for this soup?
The recipe suggests floating a fresh lemon slice on top of each serving for garnish and extra brightness.
What should I serve as a side dish?
Crusty rye bread is recommended for dipping into the thick soup.
What is a recommended dessert to follow this meal?
A light dessert of apples and cheese is suggested to cleanse the palate after the hearty soup.
Is this soup considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is tagged as a one-dish meal because it contains protein, legumes, and vegetables in a single pot.
Can I use different types of onions?
The recipe calls for Spanish onions, but you can substitute them with yellow or white onions if needed.
How many ham hocks are needed?
The recipe specifies using 4 smoked ham hocks, weighing approximately 3 and 3/4 pounds.
Should the soup be covered the whole time?
No, it should be covered for the first hour and 15 minutes, then simmered uncovered for the final 40 minutes.
What do I do with the bay leaf after cooking?
The bay leaf should be removed and discarded once the cooking process is complete.
Is this soup family-friendly?
Yes, it is tagged as a family-friendly dish, making it suitable for group gatherings and cozy dinners.
How much garlic is used?
The recipe uses 1 1/2 teaspoons of minced garlic.
What is the preparation for the onions?
The Spanish onions should be chopped before being sautéed in the vegetable oil.
Can I make this soup ahead of time?
Yes, like most lentil and pea soups, the flavors often deepen and improve the next day.
How thick is the final soup?
The combination of lentils and split peas creates a thick, hearty, and robust consistency.
Can I substitute dried herbs for fresh ones?
The recipe calls for dried herbs; if using fresh, you would typically need to triple the quantity.
How do I know when the soup is finished?
The soup is ready when the vegetables are tender and the ham meat easily falls off the bone.
What is the purpose of sautéing the onions first?
Sautéing the onions and garlic for 5 minutes softens them and builds a flavorful aromatic base for the soup.
Is this recipe suitable for chilly evenings?
Yes, the description specifically highlights it as a soul-warming dish perfect for chilly evenings.
How much celery and carrots should be prepared?
You should prepare 1 1/2 cups of diced carrots and 1 1/4 cups of chopped celery.
Does this soup contain any sugar?
No, according to the ingredients list, there is no added sugar in this recipe.