Split Pea Soup

Celery, parsley, carrots, leeks

two or so celery stalks, chopped. Chop leaves too.

1/2 cup minced fresh parsley leaves

2 cups dried green split peas

about 1 teaspoon dried tarragon & 1 bay leaf

Combine in large pot. Add 9 cups of water. Bring to a boil.

3 or so leeks, white and green part.

Slice thinly (or semi-thinly)

Once to a boil, reduce to a "brisk" simmer. Cook for about 30 minutes, or when the peas get soft.

Carrots, about four.

peel & chop.

In large skillet, heat over medium 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil. Add carrots, leeks. I also added to chopped pearl onions (last minute decision).

Slightly brown the mixture, but don't over cook. Then, add to simmering pot (around the 30 minute mark). Also add salt and pepper (remember, you can always add more, so don't over do it).... Cook for another 30 minutes, until soup has thickened. Don't forget to take the bay leaf out!

Enjoy!

Curried Split Pea / Butternut Squash Soup

I have reached a point in my cooking where I like to explore and stray from recipes. However, last night I really wanted to have split pea soup AND butternut squash soup... so I did a google search and found a recipe. I wrote it down. I could have easily printed it, but I find that if I write the recipe down, it forces me to have to read it and then, when I go to make something I am not surprised by something that is outrageous. Also, I like to recycle. Feel free to stray from this one if you desire. Oh and I'm so making this again, it was fabulous.

Also, I am not going to write makeshift instructions because I have supplied the link to the recipe.

Oh, one last thing. I created a video of how I cut onions. I am 99.9% certain that this is NOT the proper way to cut an onion, but it works for me. Enjoy my imovie creation.

Soooo soooo good.