Vegan Erwtensoep (Split Pea Soup)

Ingredients

• 500 g Dried Split Peas
• 2 liters Vegetable Broth
• 2 medium Carrots
• 2 stalks Celery
• 1 large Onion
• 1 large Leek
• 1 tablespoon Smoked Paprika
• 2 leaves Bay Leaf
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 0.5 teaspoon Black Pepper

Instructions

1. 1First, rinse the 500 g of dried split peas under cold running water in a fine-mesh sieve until the water runs clear; set them aside. Next, prepare the vegetables: cut the 2 medium carrots into 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) dice, cut the 2 stalks of celery into 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) dice, dice the 1 large onion into 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) pieces, and slice the 1 large leek into 1/2-inch (1.25 cm) rounds, ensuring to rinse the leek thoroughly to remove any dirt.
2. 2Place a large heavy-bottomed pot (at least 6-quart or 5.7-liter capacity) on your stovetop. Add the rinsed 500 g of dried split peas, the 2 liters of vegetable broth, the diced 2 medium carrots, the diced 2 stalks of celery, the diced 1 large onion, and the sliced 1 large leek to the pot.
3. 3Next, add the 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika, the 2 bay leaves, the 1 teaspoon of salt, and the 0.5 teaspoon of black pepper to the pot. Stir all the ingredients gently with a large spoon to ensure they are well combined.
4. 4Increase the heat to high, aiming for the liquid in the pot to reach a rolling boil (212°F / 100°C), where large, rapid bubbles continuously break the surface. This process should take approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
5. 5Once the soup is boiling, immediately reduce the heat to low, maintaining a gentle simmer (liquid temperature approximately 170-190°F / 77-88°C) with small, occasional bubbles. Cover the pot with a lid, leaving a small gap for steam to escape, and let the soup simmer for 90 minutes to 2 hours, stirring occasionally every 15-20 minutes to prevent sticking. The soup is ready when the split peas are very tender and have broken down, resulting in a thick, creamy texture.
6. 6Carefully remove the pot from the heat. Locate and remove the 2 bay leaves from the soup using tongs or a slotted spoon, and discard them. The Vegan Erwtensoep is now ready to be served warm.

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