1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 large onions, chopped
½ tsp fine-grain sea salt
2 cups dried split green peas, picked over and rinsed
5 cups water
Juice of ½ lemon (reserve the zest)
A few pinches of smoked paprika
More olive oil to drizzle
Add olive oil to a big pot over med-high heat. Stir in onions and salt and cook until the onions soften, just a minute or two. Add the split peas and water. Bring to a boil, dial down the heat, and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the peas are cooked through (but still a touch al dente). Using a large cup or mug ladle half of the soup into a bowl and set aside. Using a hand blender (or regular blender) puree the soup that is still remaining in the pot. Stir the reserved (still chunky) soup back into the puree – you should have a soup that is nicely textured. If you need to thin the soup out with more water (or stock) do so a bit at a time. Stir in the lemon juice and taste. If the soup needs more salt, add more a bit at a time until the flavor of the soup really pops.
Ladle into bowls or cups, and serve each drizzled with olive oil and topped with a good pinch of smoked paprika and a touch of lemon zest.
Variations: Add a couple of handfuls of broccoli trees or spinach before doing the puree. You can use a vegetable stock in place of the water.
Serves: 4-6
(Recipe retrieved from www.101cookbooks.com)