Curried Split Pea Soup

The Husband looooves Alton Brown.  He swears by anything Brown makes. He DVRs all of his shows and we usually watch them together. Lucky me. Just kidding.

Hubby has also finally agreed to occasionally let me do a vegertarian meal.  Don't get me wrong, both of us love meat filled meals - be it beef, chicken, lamb, pork, fish etc - we really do enjoy each one. But, I've been reading that having a vegetarian meal once or twice a week has health benefits, and if he's willing (having been the one insistent on meat in our meals) then I figure heck, I'm going to try and make them.

Back to Alton, we had seen his show on split peas and I thought this curried soup looked delicious. The soup is extremely easy to make. The curry is wonderful in this soup, and the amount is perfect as not to outshine the peas.

I also love the beautiful green color. I can't help but admit though that I thought some bacon crumbles and creme fraiche drizzle would have been divine, but - I resisted!

I served this soup along with baked sweet potatoes. The flavors were a perfect balance and the combination of the soup and the sweet potatoes were very filling.

Curried Split Pea Soup
Recipe by Alton Brown via The Food Network

2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 cup chopped onion
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
12 ounces dried green or yellow split peas, picked over and rinsed
5 cups chicken broth
1 tablespoon curry powder

Place the butter into a large (4 to 6-quart) saucepan over medium-low heat. Once melted, add the onion and a generous pinch of salt and sweat for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and continue to sweat for an additional 1 to 2 minutes, making certain not to allow onions or garlic to brown.

Add the peas, chicken broth and curry powder. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook at a simmer until the peas are tender and not holding their shape any longer, approximately 45 to 50 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Using care and a stick blender, puree the soup until the desired consistency. Watch out for hot splatters.