Spiderweb Split Pea Soup (Print View)

Smooth split pea soup with vibrant veggies, finished with a decorative sour cream spiderweb.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
02 - 1 large yellow onion, diced
03 - 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced
04 - 2 celery stalks, diced
05 - 3 garlic cloves, minced

→ Legumes

06 - 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed and sorted

→ Liquids

07 - 6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
08 - 2 cups water

→ Seasonings

09 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
10 - 1 bay leaf
11 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
13 - 1 teaspoon salt, or to taste

→ Garnish

14 - 1/2 cup sour cream
15 - 1 tablespoon milk or water, as needed to thin
16 - Fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped, optional

# Directions:

01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add diced onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 6 to 8 minutes until vegetables soften.
02 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add split peas, vegetable broth, water, dried thyme, bay leaf, smoked paprika, black pepper, and salt. Stir thoroughly to combine.
04 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 50 to 60 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peas are tender and soup is thickened.
05 - Remove bay leaf. If a smoother texture is desired, use an immersion blender to partially or fully purée the soup.
06 - In a small bowl, whisk sour cream with a small amount of milk or water until it reaches a pourable consistency. Transfer to a piping bag or a small zip-top bag with a snipped corner.
07 - Ladle soup into bowls. Pipe sour cream in concentric circles atop each serving, then drag a toothpick or skewer from the center outward to create a spiderweb pattern.
08 - Garnish with freshly chopped chives or parsley if desired. Serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Uses everyday kitchen veggies and pantry staples
  • Nutritious and full of plant-based protein
  • You can finish it smooth or leave it rustic
  • Customizable for vegan or gluten free friends
02 -
  • High in protein and fiber will keep you full for hours
  • Easy to adapt for vegan or gluten free needs
  • Can be made ahead and reheated for busy nights
03 -
  • For the clearest webs, thin sour cream just a bit until it glides smoothly from your piping bag
  • Do not skip sautéing the aromatics slowly. Rushing can lead to a flat soup
  • For a silky finish, blend half the soup and leave half chunky for unbeatable texture

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