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Coconut Split Pea Soup

Coconut Split Pea Soup

Stormy weather comfort food. 

Temps have plunged to zero here in New England. Oh, well. Perhaps I shouldn't exaggerate. Okay. It was 1 degree above zero. One. As in uno. As in eins. As in une.

Translation? COLD.

AKA soup weather.

So I whipped up a wintry weather comfort food favorite. A creamy and delicious split pea soup. That just so happens to be gluten-free. Meat-free. Dairy-free. My secret? Coconut milk, darling. And a dash of spicy jalapeños.

It was lip-smacking tasty. Trust me. You won't miss the ham hock.

Stay safe and warm out there! 

Karina xo

Karina's Kicked Up Coconut Split Pea Soup Recipe

Recipe posted by Karina March 2006.

 I actually used my Krups rice cooker to make this silky and delicious split pea soup. It simmered it perfectly, to just the right consistency without scorching- always a plus! You could also use a Crock Pot. I love appliances that do all the work. So I can go play, er, I mean, fold the laundry.

Ingredients:


2 cups dried split peas, rinsed, picked over
Fresh boiling water, just enough to cover the dried split peas
3 cloves garlic, chopped
5 cups light tasting vegetable broth
1 to 2 teaspoons hot or mild curry paste (or powder), to taste
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
1/2 teaspoon red pepper chile flakes, or to taste
1 14-oz. can coconut milk
1/3 cup jarred jalapeños, drained and chopped
Sea salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste

 Instructions:

Place the split peas in a rice cooker and cover with boiling water. Turn the cooker on low. If you are using a heavy soup pot on the stove, cover the pot, turn the burner on at the lowest setting. 

 Hot soak the peas like this for one hour. Drain.

 Place the soaked peas back into the rice cooker or heavy bottomed soup pot and add the chopped garlic, broth, curry, Old Bay Seasoning, and red pepper flakes. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the liquid is reduced and the peas are so tender they break apart with a wooden spoon- about an hour. If you'd rather cook this soup on the stove top, place the soaked peas, garlic, broth, curry, Old Bay Seasoning and red pepper flakes in a soup pot and bring to a gentle simmer; cook until the liquid is reduced a bit and the peas are soft- about an hour.

 Stir in the coconut milk and gently heat through. If you like your pea soup thick, keep simmering, and reduce the liquid to your liking. If it needs more liquid, thin with water. Serve in shallow warmed bowls, with a spoonful of pickled jalapeños in the center of the soup. 

Fab with my Gluten-Free Irish Soda Rolls, or Easy Gluten-Free Baguettes.


Optional garnishes:

Chopped fresh cilantro
Chopped jalapeños
Red pepper flakes
Sour cream or vegan sour cream
Plain yogurt- dairy or vegan
Corn bread croûtons
Corn tortilla crisps

Yield: Serves 4

Karina


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