A quick-cooking and nostalgic legume. A bowl of split pea soup is a happy bowl indeed.

It's time to bring green split peas back into the spotlight! They cook up quickly and produce a delicious thick, comforting soup with or without the ham. 

Road trips from LA to San Francisco via Highway 5 can be particularly brutal and boring, but the high point for many of us is stopping at Pea Soup Andersen's for a bowl of their famous pea soup. The recipe is somewhat basic, but getting off the highway and into some soup is a true pleasure. Even picky kids seem to love a good pea soup. 

It's a classic with ham bits but it's just as delicious made with a few aromatic vegetables and water. 

Cooking Instructions: Check split peas for debris, and rinse very thoroughly. Place 1 cup split peas in a pot and add 4 cups water. If you like, add salt, aromatics, and/or spices. Bring to a full boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer, using a lid to help regulate the heat, and gently cook, stirring often, until done, 20 to 40 minutes depending on your desired texture. use less liquid for a thicker consistency.