Swedish Yellow Split Pea Soup Recipes

SWEDISH YELLOW PEA SOUP

Steps:

• Rinse the peas in a colander under cool running water. Put them in a large, nonreactive bowl and cover with water by 2 inches. Let soak uncovered in a cool place overnight.
• Put the peas and soaking water into a heavy 6-to-8-quart pot. Add water to cover again by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and let boil two minutes. Skim off and discard any foam and skins that rise to the top.
• Stir in the chopped onion. Cut the piece of bacon crosswise into two pieces, and add to the pot with 3 tablespoons fresh marjoram or thyme leaves, stripped of stems and chopped.
• Let the soup boil gently for 40 to 90 minutes until it becomes very thick and buttery yellow. Whole peas will take longer and will be soft but still whole when cooked. Split peas will take a shorter time to cook and will almost disintegrate. If the soup becomes too thick, add more water.
• Remove the pot from the heat. Remove the two pieces of bacon, and cut off and discard the rind. Cut the bacon crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Reserve.
• Stir the soup well, and season with 2 to 4 tablespoons mustard. Add salt, if necessary, and black pepper. Add more fresh thyme or marjoram if desired.
• Serve with soup in shallow bowls with slices of bacon on the side. Pass additional mustard to stir into the soup. In Sweden, this soup, called artsoppa, is served with crisp rye bread covered with grated vasterbottem, a sharp, hard cheese. Aged cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano are good substitutes.

SCANDINAVIAN YELLOW PEA SOUP

Steps:

• Wash and drain peas. Cover with cold water and soak overnight or according to package directions. Drain and place in large kettle with 3 quarts water. Slowly bring to a boil. Cooked covered over medium heat for 1 hour. Skim off pea skins as they float to the top. Add bacon or salt pork. ( If pork is very salty, soak in cold water for 30 minutes, drain and pat dry.) Cover soup and simmer over lowest possible heat for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally. the peas should be of puréed consistency. Add celeriac or celery, leeks, carrots, potatoes, onions, thyme and Canadian bacon to soup during last 45 minutes of cooking time. Stir soup occasionally and check for desired consistency; if necessary, add a little hot water. When ready to serve, remove bacon or salt pork and Canadian bacon to heated platter and slice. Serve soup and sliced meats separately. The meats may also be served cold, if desired.