Crock Pot Vegetarian Split Pea & Cauliflower Soup with Optional Ham Add-In
This vegetarian-at-its-roots split pea soup is comforting and familiar, with warm smoky notes thanks to the cumin and smoked paprika. Just add ham at the end for the meat-eaters.
Ingredients
1tablespoonolive oil
1medium oniondiced (about 2 cups)
1stalk celerydiced (about 1/2 cup)
2clovesgarlicminced
3cupscauliflower floretschopped into 1/2-inch pieces
2cupsdried split peas
6cupsvegetable broth
1teaspooncumin
1/2teaspoonsage
1/2teaspoonthyme
1/2teaspoonsalt
1bay leaf
Additional salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste
Olive oil and smoked paprika for garnish
Ham add-in
1/4cupdiced ham per serving
Instructions
In a saute pan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, onion, and celery. Cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook one more minute. Add to 4.5-quart or larger Crock Pot along with cauliflower, split peas, vegetable broth, cumin, sage, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bay leaf.
Cook on low for 8 hours, or until split peas are completely soft.
Taste and add additional salt and pepper if needed.
If adding ham, remove about 1 1/2 cups per serving to a saucepan and stir in 1/4 cup diced ham. Heat together for about 10 minutes.
Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Top carnivorous servings with additional chopped ham if desired.