Question about split pea soup

[mandyky]

I have all the makings for split pea soup except the ham. Has anyone tried pork other than ham? Or ground beef? Other than onions, celery, and carrots, what other veggies would be good? I usually dice up a potato or 2, but mat substitute instant potato flakes since I am out of fresh potatoes.

[BlueHandDuo]

1. Any greens...

...spinach, kale, collards, bok choy, whatever, are all good pea-soup veggies. Chop 'em up fine. Turnips, rutabagas, even radishes, can substitute for potatoes (or supplement them).

Are you sure you need meat? Any kind of smoked sausage, even hot dogs, can be sliced up and substituted for the ham. Or go veggie this one time. Can't hurt. You might want to add a tablespoonful of olive oil in that case, though, to smooth out the texture.

Oh, and add a splash of your favorite vinegar. If you don't overdo it, no one will even be able to identify it in the mix of flavors, but it will add interest.

I would not recommend ground beef.

[eleny]

2. Be sure to add some garlic

I just made a pot of split pea the other day. I did find a piece of ham in the freezer but would have made it without.

Do you have any liquid smoke? I hunted for vegan split pea recipes to see if anyone used it and one recipe did called for a few drops. But garlic and parsley should add some nice flavor with what you already have on hand.

[mandyky]

4. LOL, I use garlic in everything!

What's liquid smoke? I have seen it referenced here several times..

[n2mark]

3. You could try

a little bit a bacon.

[mandyky]

5. No bacon either

We just went 3 months without a decent grocery shop and this is only month #2 of refurbishing my staples, so I did not get bacon this time.
(I only shop monthly) I have pork chops and steaks and some smoked sausages.

[BlueHandDuo]

6. Use the sausages...

...they'll be great!