On Tue, 27 Sep 2011 10:31:01 -0400, Chet > wrote:

>I have made split pea soup a few times, but cannot get the nice flavor
>that when I get it at the restaurants, not sure what I am missing in my
>recipe.
>
> this is my recipe in a crock pot
> 2 qts water
>1 lb dried split peas
>2 carrots chopped
>2 stalks celery chopped
>1 onion sliced
>some salt & pepper
>1 small ham hock
>1 bay leaf
>
>after 8hrs I remove the ham hock and take the meat off the bone, then I
>use a stick blender, let it cool and scoop off the layer of fat on the
>top of the soup and add the ham pcs it's not bad, but there is a smokey
>flavor missing.

Then you're not using smoked ham or not enough... one small ham hock
hasn't much flavor for a pound of peas, use two large. or the entire
meaty bone from a smoked ham. I like to add diced potato too, adds a
nice creamy texture and earthy flavor. I'll be making pea soup soon,
I just bought six pounds of peas for my 18 quart pot, I've two ham
bones saved in my frezer. And whole dried peas make a better soup,
just couldn't find them this year, but I haven't given up... I also
like to use yellow peas. Forget the stick blender, ruins the texture.