If you’re anything like me, there’s a deep-seated comfort in the familiar, in those dishes that have been a part of our lives for a long time. This pea and ham soup recipe is just that—a timeless classic that warms my soul with every spoonful. But convenience (making it in the soup maker) doesn’t mean sacrificing taste. Oh no, quite the contrary! Velvety, airy and vibrant, ah, the comforting embrace of a hearty soup, swirling with the essence of sweet peas and savory ham.
Ah, the comforting embrace of a hearty soup, swirling with the essence of sweet peas and savory ham.
What you’ll love about this recipe
This pea and ham soup caries all the flavors that will transport you to cozy evenings by the fire, where every spoonful is a warm hug from your favorite memories. Just pour yourself a glass of your favorite “vino” whilst waiting for the soup maker to do its thing. Even this thought is so comforting and relaxing, oh, my, we do need to be kind to ourselves more often 🤗.
- Convenient: Firstly, let’s talk about convenience. With this pea and ham soup in soup maker recipe, you can bid farewell to lengthy stovetop simmering sessions. Simply toss your ingredients into the soup maker, press a few buttons, and voila! In no time at all, you’ll be savoring the aroma of homemade soup wafting through your kitchen.
- Layers of flavor: The sweetness of the peas harmonizes perfectly with the smoky richness of the ham and if you add the sour cream, there’s a tanginess that balances sweetness. I add a splash of lemon juice too, this tends to bring all the flavors together, but it is certainly optional.
- Versatile: Like many of my recipes, you can play with substituting, adding or taking away. Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices. Whether you prefer a hint of thyme or a kick of chili, the possibilities are endless. Many recipes add celery, I feel it changes the taste, plus, is not Dave’s favorite. But I would add a shallot with the onions to add even more subtle garlickiness.
- Nutrient-Rich Ingredients: Peas are packed with fibre, vitamins and minerals, they are a freezer staple in our household. Even the dog gets a small portion of frozen peas every now and then.
Watch how to make pea and ham soup
Ingredients you’ll need
- Frozen peas – I used frozen garden peas, but petit pois or fresh peas will work well.
- Onions – this is the base of your soup, so use a few white or yellow medium ones. You can replace one onion with shallot, it will give the soup even more delicious flavors.
- Ham hock, shredded – for convenience use store bought, but you can make your own from scratch if you want.
- Thick cut ham – I diced it up and made it crispy in a frying pan to top up my vibrant green soup. But you have two options here: you can just use the ham hock to mix in the soup and to top it up, or you can just use the thick cut ham.
- Sour cream – it will give a lovely tangy taste and lift up those sweet pea flavors. If you are not a fan of dairy, just skip it and add a squeeze of lemon juice.
- Olive oil – I am such an avid olive oil cook, but if you want, add a little butter with it to saute the onions with.
- Vegetable stock – I used organic cubes and add the water, but you may add a liquid stock.
- Garlic – only one clove, you don’t want much garlicky flavor.
- Herbs (I used mint and parsley) – peas call for mint, so go ahead and use plenty. The more herbs the better, for your 30 plants a week health strive!
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Lemon juice – optional, only a modest squeeze.
How to make Pea and ham soup in soup maker (step-by-step)
Time needed: 30 minutes
Conveniently easy, thanks to the soup maker, this pea and ham soup recipe is a timeless classic that warms your soul with every spoonful.
- Prepare the ingredients
Peel and dice the onions. Prepare all of the other ingredients so that they are ready to be added, this dish comes together fast.
- Saute function first
This is where you add flavor, so use that saute function if you have it. Add the olive oil and chopped onions. Cook until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally (myTokit Omnicook uses the blades to stir, so no stirring for me, it takes only 3 minutes). If you don’t have a saute function, I thoroughly recommend sauteing the onions in a frying pan before adding them to the soup maker.
- Add the peas, ham and broth
Stir in the frozen peas and shredded ham, and add the vegetable stock (or cubes and water) to cover the peas.
- Cook everything
Let the soup cook in the soup maker (this will depend on the model). Mine cooked for 12 minutes. If unsure, try a pea after 10-15 minutes to make sure it’s cooked but still vibrantly green.
- Fry the ham bits
Meanwhile, if you are using thick cut ham, slice it in small pieces and fry gently in a drop of olive oil in a frying pan. Set aside on a plate to drain on kitchen paper until ready to top the bowls.
- Blend the soup
Close the lid tightly. Most soup maker models will have a smooth setting, so be sure to select this. On mine, it takes up to 3 minutes to get a smooth aerated texture.
- Season to perfection
Give it a taste to gather if you need more salt, add salt and black pepper to taste. Add the sour cream, and a little squeeze of lemon if you are using. Give it a quick blend to incorporate everything.
- Serve and enjoy!
Once the soup maker has finished, ladle or pour the soup into bowls. Garnish with fresh mint and parsley leaves for an extra burst of flavor. Top with the crispy ham bits and anything else you fancy!
Pro Tips
- If you don’t have a saute function, I thoroughly recommend sauteing the onions in a frying pan before adding them to the soup maker.
- If the soup is too thick, add a little more stock to loosen it up.
- Smoked ham adds a lovely level of depth, I adore smoky flavors with anything!
- Swirl the sour cream at the end, you don’t want it boiling and curdling.
- And you want more ideas for soup maker soups, I have just what you need: cozy leek and potato soup or an aromatic Moroccan pumpkin soup.
Preparation time
It takes around 5 – 10 minutes to prepare the veggies and the other ingredients.
I am being generous here, because I know myself (not always super organised 😉).
saute and cooking time
The onions take around 3 minutes to saute. Once everything is added it takes around 12 minutes to cook.
blending time
My Tokit Omnicook blends the hot soup in 3 minutes, but do check your soup maker model.
Total time
In less than 30 minutes, you have a velvety smooth consistency that’s downright luxurious.
Nutritional benefits
Of course the abundance of vegetables and herbs makes this dish such a wholesome nourishing option. But for me, the hero here are the peas, you can never run out of this high fiber option! Feed those friendly gut bacteria happy!
Servings
This recipe yields 4 portions, enough for a small family.
What to serve with pea and ham soup
Now, let’s talk about serving suggestions. While this soup is certainly delicious on its own, why not take it to the next level with some tasty accompaniments?
- A crusty loaf of freshly baked bread or springy ciabatta is the perfect partner for dunking into this soul-warming soup. If you’re a sourdough aficionado, I really encourage you to try my easy no-knead sourdough recipe.
- Alternatively, you could use leftover sandwich bread to whip up a batch of homemade garlic croutons for a crunchy contrast to the creamy soup.
- Add crispy smoked thick ham bits on top to add more porky smoky flavors and crunchy texture.
- And if you’re feeling particularly indulgent, an extra dollop of sour cream and a sprinkle of hemp seeds (called hemp hearts 💛) on top adds a touch of decadence that elevates this humble dish to gourmet status.
variations and substitutions
- Herb Variations: Experiment with different fresh herbs such as thyme or marjoram, they are robust enough to support the heartiness of this soup.
- More nutrition: Many similar recipes add celery, that’s good news for more veggies in your diet! I feel though that it changes the flavor profile I was after, plus, is not Dave’s favorite, so I haven’t used. But I would add a shallot with the onions to add even more subtle garlickiness. And a handful of spinach will certainly help and they won’t steal the show from the peas!
- Fresh peas: Frozen peas lock a higher amount of nutrients and are so handy, but fresh peas could be a fancy alternative, so thoroughly recommend them if you have them.
- Ham alternatives: Experiment with different types of meat such as smoked turkey or bacon. If you are looking at cooking a ham hock and using the shredded meat, I recommend using a slow cooker to do this.
So there you have it, my lovelies! Easy peasy, but with depth of flavor and endless versatility, I really hope my pea and ham soup maker recipe will become a staple in your kitchen. Get ready to cozy up with a bowlful of deliciousness that warm both body and soul.
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recipe FAQ
Absolutely! If using fresh peas, adjust the cooking time accordingly as they may cook faster than frozen peas.
Yes, you can, I made this soup so many times without one before I had my trusty Omnicook! Simply follow the same steps using a large pot on the stove-top. Allow the soup to simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the peas are tender, then blend until smooth in a blender or with a stick blender.
You can add half a teaspoon to a teaspoon of dried mint before blending, but parsley is best used fresh scattered on top.
I would not suggest adding potatoes or cornstarch, this soup is really quite delicate. I’d just add a little less stock and add more as needed. It also does not thicken as it’s stored.
Pea and ham soup in soup maker recipe
Equipment
- 1 Soup maker or food processor with saute, cooking and blending functions
- 1 frying pan optional, if you want crispy ham bits
- 1 spatula to scrape the soup maker bowl down
- 1 Chopping board or a vegetable dicer
- 1 knife
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 medium onions medium to fine chopped
- 1 clove of garlic minced
- 100 g shredded ham hock
- 100 g thick cut ham diced and lightly sauteed until crisp
- 500 g frozen peas
- 2 vegetable stock cubes
- 500 ml water
- 100 g sour cream
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh mint leaves and parsley for garnish
- 2 tablespoons Lemon juice
Instructions
Prepare the ingredients
- Peel and dice the onions. Prepare all of the other ingredients so that they are ready to be added, this dish comes together fast.
Saute Function:
- Add the olive oil and chopped onions. Cook until softened and fragrant, stirring occasionally (myTokit Omnicook uses the blades to stir,so no stirring for me, it takes only 3 minutes).
- If you don't have a saute function, I thoroughly recommend sauteing the onions in a frying pan before adding them to the soup maker.
Add Peas, Ham and broth
- Stir in the frozen peas and shredded ham, minced garlic and add the vegetable stock (or cubes and water) to cover the peas.
Cook everything
- Let the soup cook in the soup maker (this will depend on the model). Mine cooked for 12 minutes. If unsure, try a pea after 10-15 minutes to make sure it's cooked but still vibrantly green.
Fry the ham bits
- Meanwhile, if you are using thick cut ham, slice it in small pieces and fry gently in a drop of olive oil in a frying pan. Set aside on a plate to drain on kitchen paper until ready to top the bowls.
Blend the soup
- Close the lid of the soup maker tightly and select the appropriate setting for a smooth soup. Let the soup maker work its magic! ( On mine,it takes up to 3 minutes to get a smooth aerated texture).
Season:
- Give it a taste to gather if you need more salt, add salt and black pepper to taste. Add the sour cream, and a little squeeze of lemon if you are using.
- Give it a quick blend to incorporate everything.
Serve:
- Once the soup maker has finished, ladle or pour the soup into bowls.
- Garnish with fresh mint and parsley leaves. Top with the crispy ham bits and anything else you fancy!
Quick and easy, go to when in a hurry.
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