This London Particular Yellow Split Pea Soup is made with yellow split peas, which are a bit sweet and have an earthy taste to them.
Pease porridge hot, pease porridge cold,
Pease porridge in the pot, nine days old.
Some like it hot, some like it cold,
Some like it in the pot - nine days old.
- Mother Goose
Well, I liked it hot. I didn't like it cold. And it definitely did not last nine days.
Pease porridge, or more commonly now referred to as split pea soup, is a wonderfully healthy dish that is just as tasty. Historically, peasants cooked pease porridge in a large kettle over the fire. The thick porridge would be made with a base of peas, and other available vegetables would be added to it. Each day, the porridge would cool off as the fire died during the night. And in the mornings, the porridge would be cold. The kettle would remain over the fire each day, rewarmed each day by a new fire. Since it was replenished with new vegetables as available and needed, the original porridge may have actually lasted nine days - hence, some really may have liked it nine days old!
Split pea soup can be made with green split peas or yellow split peas. While many people find that the peas taste the same, to me, the yellow ones are a bit sweeter and have an earthy taste to them. The green split peas leave me with a harsh after taste. But, the peas cook the same, and you can use both types interchangeably in this recipe.
In this case, I also used yellow peas because it has an interesting touch of London history. Prior to the Clean Air Act here in 1956, the London air was often filled with yellowish smog caused by burning coals and industry. This smog became termed the London Particular or London Fog. Since yellow split pea soup carries the same color as the smog, and should be a thick consistency much like the smog, it has become known as London Particular Pea Soup.
The London Particular Yellow Split Pea Soup
Print Recipe Save RecipeIngredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil (15 milliliters)
- 2 cloves garlic - minced
- ½ medium onion - peeled and diced
- 1 large carrot - diced
- 5 whole baby potatoes (or equivalent (medium starch type)) - washed and cubed
- 1 cup yellow split peas (225 grams)
- 1 cup pulled ham hocks (90 grams)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 dash coarse ground black pepper
- 3 ¼ cups water (775 milliliters)
Instructions
- Over medium high heat, add olive oil into a pot and heat until hot.
- Add the onions, garlic and salt and sauteé until the onions are slightly translucent and the garlic is lightly browned (about 3 minutes).
- Add in the carrots and potatoes and sauteé for 2 minutes.
- Stir in the yellow split peas, 40 grams of the pulled ham hock and the water.
- Bring the water to boil on high heat, then cover the pot and turn down the heat to a simmer. Simmer for 40 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- Once the soup has finished simmering, spoon out about 1 cup of the soup into a bowl and set aside. Use a stick blender and pureé the remaining soup. You may also use a blender to pureé, but be sure to let the soup cool first before using the blender.
- Add the remaining 1 cup back into the pureé.
- Top each bowl with a bit of the remaining pulled ham hock and some fresh ground black pepper.
Caren F Harvey says
I love yellow splits peas. I find they have the taste of boiled peanuts. I just cook them in water w/ salt & pepper or maybe some chicken broth or stock. Very natural taste and texture. They are difinitely a great thickening base for ham, chicken or pork flavored soup.
Lorraine says
How many does this serve please?
Tina Jui says
Hi Lorraine, it should serve about 6 bowls.
Claire Glazer says
Do I need to soak and boil the split peas before starting the recipe or do I use them raw?
Tina Jui says
HI Claire, no need to soak or boil the split peas first.
Claire Glazer says
Thanks. Going to try it tomorrow.
D.Pilgrim says
Tried a number of different recipes for yellow split pea soup but never tastes the same as that I have found made in the north east of the country, Geordie land in particular. A very distinct taste I believe Brown and Poulson produced a stock block which reproduced that taste,something much of the past I think.
Emma @ Coriander and Cumin says
That's so funny, I always thought when I was growing up that it was "please porridge hot, please porridge cold..." Now I know!! Looks delicious to me! x
Tina Jui says
Yea it's pretty interesting - "Pease" in Middle English was the mass noun for the singular "Pea". Sort of like "Oatmeal" to Oat. Hope you enjoy!
Tamara says
Looks delicious...maybe if I drop the ham my veggie husband can enjoy it too! Should I add something else to substitute the ham?
Tina Jui says
Hi Tamara, to make it a vegetarian soup, I would substitute the water for vegetable stock to give it more flavor. You can also try to add in some thyme, and finish the soup with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of paprika. If you would like to add something else in the soup, I'd recommend kale - nutritious and packed with vitamins! (but it might change the color of the soup a little)
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
I am craving this soup like crazy now, can't wait for the autumn time to make it!
Tina Jui says
Please let me know when you do :) The good thing about London is that it is often cloudy and dreary for part of each day, so it is always good for soup.
claudia says
that looks so delicious! i really enjoy reading your blog!
Tina Jui says
Aww, if I were still there, I'd bring all the goodies in to share.
Caelyn says
A perfect reply! Thanks for taking the treloub.