Healthy Recipe:

Recipe: Split pea soup

  • High fiber = at least 5 g of fiber per serving

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Dietitian's tip: When you want a quick, hearty meal, this soup, made with yellow split peas, pairs well with crusty whole-grain bread or a fresh-vegetable medley.

By Mayo Clinic staff
Serves 4

Ingredients

    For the chive cream
    3 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh chives, plus long cuts for garnish
    3 tablespoons fat-free plain yogurt
    1 tablespoon low-fat buttermilk
    1/4 teaspoon sugar
    Pinch of salt

    2 tablespoons olive oil
    1 yellow onion, chopped
    1/2 teaspoon salt
    1 large carrot, peeled and chopped
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1 1/2 cups dried yellow or green split peas, picked over, rinsed and drained
    3 cups water
    3 cups vegetable stock or broth
    1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
    1/2 cup chopped lean ham

Directions

To make the chive cream, in a small blender or food processor, combine the chopped chives, yogurt, buttermilk, sugar and salt. Process until well blended. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

In a large saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute until soft and lightly golden, about 6 minutes. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Add the carrot and saute until the carrot is softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute. Stir in the split peas, water, stock, the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the pepper and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover partially, and simmer until the peas are tender, 60 to 65 minutes.

In a blender or food processor, puree the soup in batches until smooth and return to the saucepan over medium heat. Reheat gently.

Ladle into warmed individual bowls. Top each serving with a drizzle or swirl of chive cream and garnish with a sprinkle of chopped ham and a few long cuts of fresh chives. Serve immediately.

Nutritional Analysis

(per serving)
Calories393 Monounsaturated fat6 g
Protein23 g Cholesterol7 mg
Carbohydrate56 g Sodium695 mg
Total fat11 g Fiber12 g
Saturated fat1 g   
Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight Pyramid Servings Diabetes Meal Plan Exchanges Dash Eating Plan Servings

 

Source: This recipe is one of 150 recipes collected in The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook, published by Mayo Clinic Health Information and Oxmoor House, and winner of the 2005 James Beard award.

RE00047

July 26, 2006

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