GRANDMA'S PEA SOUP

Grandma's Pea Soup image

My grandma's pea soup recipe was a family favorite. What makes it different from any other pea soups I have tried is the addition of whole peas, spaetzle-like "dumplings" and sausage. Try it once and you'll be hooked. -Carole Talcott, Dahinda, Illinois

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories Dinner Lunch

Time 3h

Yield 16 servings (4 quarts).

Number Of Ingredients 18

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Ingredients

1/2 pound dried whole peas
1/2 pound dried green split peas
1 meaty ham bone
3 quarts water
1 large onion, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1/2 cup chopped celery leaves
1 teaspoon bouquet garni (mixed herbs)
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/2 pound smoked sausage, chopped, optional
SPAETZLE DUMPLINGS:
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 large egg, beaten
1/3 cup water

Steps:

Cover peas with water and soak overnight. Drain, rinse and place in a Dutch oven. , Add ham bone, water and remaining soup ingredients except sausage and dumplings. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 2 to 2-1/2 hours. , Remove ham bone and skim fat. Remove meat from bone; dice. Add ham and, if desired, sausage to pan. , For dumplings, place flour in a small bowl. Make a depression in the center of the flour; add egg and water and stir until smooth. , Place a colander with 3/16-in.-diameter holes over simmering soup; transfer dough to the colander and press through with a wooden spoon. Cook, uncovered, 10-15 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Freeze Option: Prepare soup without dumplings and freeze in serving-size portions to enjoy for months to come.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 155 calories, Fat 2g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 20mg cholesterol, Sodium 171mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (2g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 9g protein.