Erwtensoep - Instant Pot (Dutch Split Pea Soup)

Someone mentioned erwtensoep today, and Doug likes soups, so I decided to find a recipe and make some. We liked it!

Ingredients:

• 1-2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 - 3 cups diced ham
• 3 carrots, diced (maybe 1.5 cups)
• 4 - 6 slices  bacon, diced
• 3 celery stalks, diced (I used a bell pepper and some diced spinach)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/4 tsp dried thyme
  
• 4 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1/4 tsp ground pepper
• 6 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 lb green split peas, rinsed and sorted (unsoaked)

Instructions:

1. Sauté the onion, carrots, and bell pepper/celery. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion starts to turn translucent.
2. Add the garlic, bacon or ham, if using, black pepper and thyme. Cook for a minute or so.
   
3. Add the broth
4. Stir in the split peas.
5. Switch the function to pressure cook, seal the lid, and cook on high pressure for 15 minutes.
6. When the cooking time completes, let the pot to natural release for 15 minutes, think use the quick release function.
7. Remove the bay leaves. Stir in the spinach, and let wilt for a couple of minutes.
8. Taste and add the salt if desired.

   

Carole's Notes:

We liked this! The full recipe is supposed to serve 6 -8,  so I made a half recipe. I think we have a serving and a half left.

The recipe is lightly adapted from https://www.thedutchtable.com/2010/10/erwtensoep-split-pea-soup.html and from https://www.simplyhappyfoodie.com/instant-pot-split-pea-soup/