Split Pea Soup With Pumpernickel Croutons Food

SPLIT PEA SOUP WITH PUMPERNICKEL CROUTONS

Steps:

• Simmer ham hocks in 16 cups water in a deep 6-quart pot, uncovered, until meat is tender, 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
• Transfer ham hocks to a cutting board and measure broth: If it measures more than 12 cups, continue boiling until reduced; if less, add enough water to total 12 cups. When hocks are cool enough to handle, discard skin and cut meat into 1/4-inch pieces (reserve bones).
• Chop 2 carrots and cook along with onion and celery in 2 tablespoons oil in a 6- to 8-quart heavy pot over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, 6 to 8 minutes. Add split peas, table salt, pepper, ham hock broth, and reserved bones and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until peas are falling apart and soup is slightly thickened, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 400°F.
• While soup simmers, toss bread with remaining 3 tablespoons oil and kosher salt in a large bowl, then spread in 1 layer in a large shallow baking pan and bake until crisp, about 10 minutes. Cool croutons in pan on a rack.
• Halve remaining 2 carrots lengthwise, then cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices. Remove bones from soup with a slotted spoon and discard. Add carrots and ham pieces to soup and simmer, uncovered, until carrots are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Add frozen peas and simmer, uncovered, stirring, until just heated through, about 3 minutes. Season with salt.
• Serve soup with croutons.

PARISIAN SPLIT PEA SOUP WITH BACON AND CROUTONS

Steps:

• Croutons-can be made up to 2 days ahead; preheat oven to 350°; spread the bread cubes on a large baking sheet; drizzle with the butter and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
• Bake, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, about 10 minutes.
• Remove and let cool completely; use immediately or store in plastic bag at room temperature.
• Soup-rinse the split peas and drain them in a colander.
• Discard any shriveled peas.
• In a large skillet, cook the bacon, turning, until crisp on both sides.
• Remove the bacon, but leave the fat in the pan.
• Drain the bacon on paper towels; crumble the bacon and set it aside to garnish the soup.
• Add the onion, carrot, and celery to the skillet with the bacon fat and cook, stirring often, until softened and golden, about 10 minutes.
• Scrape the vegetables into a large slow cooker.
• Add in the split peas, herbs, broth, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours, or until the peas are tender.
• Cool slightly.
• Discard the bay leaf.
• Transfer to a blender, puree until smooth, and reheat if necessary.
• Taste for seasoning and adjust.
• Serve hot, sprinkled with the bacon and croutons.

PEA SOUP WITH PANCETTA AND CROUTONS

Steps:

• Spread the pancetta over the base of a medium soup pan and place over medium-low heat. Cook, rendering the fat, until browned on the edges, about 5 minutes. Remove to a paper-towel lined plate. Pour off all but a thin coating of fat. Return to medium heat, and add the garlic and leek. Cook until soft on the edges. Add the peas, broth and 2 cups of water. Season with salt. Bring to a simmer and cook until the peas are just tender, about 5 minutes.
• Turn off the heat and stir in the chives and tarragon. Let steep for 5 minutes. Ladle the soup in small batches into a blender and purée until smooth (because it is hot, turn the blender on low and hold the lid on tight). Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a little lemon juice to sharpen the flavor. Meanwhile, break the bread into small croutons and toss in a bowl with olive oil, just to coat. Ladle soup into bowls and top each bowl with a little pancetta and a few croutons.