Ah, green pea soup – it’s like a warm hug in a bowl, don’t you think? I stumbled upon this recipe during a rainy afternoon when the world felt like it was melting away, and suddenly, the vibrant color of the peas seemed to paint my day brighter. It’s creamy, comforting, and so easy to whip up that it feels like a magic trick – one moment, your kitchen is quiet, and the next, it’s filled with the aroma of cozy goodness.
Steps
- Begin by preheating your oven to 400ºF. Drain three cans of peas and place them in a blender with 2 cups of chicken broth. Blend until smooth, adding more broth until you achieve a thick soup consistency, using a total of 3 cups.
- Slice 3 ounces of bacon into small pieces and cook them in a soup pot over medium heat until crispy. Once done, remove the bacon from the pot, leaving the fat.
- Using the bacon fat, brush one thin pizza crust and season it with ¼ teaspoon of steak seasoning. Set aside while you continue with the soup preparation.
- Pour the puréed peas and broth mixture into the soup pot. Stir over medium heat, making sure to scrape and dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the pot with a spoon or whisk.
- Season the soup with 1 teaspoon of steak seasoning, tasting as you go to avoid over-salting. We used a total of 1.5 teaspoons, but adjust according to your preference.
- While the soup is heating, place the seasoned flatbread in the oven and bake for around 5 minutes until it’s golden and crispy. Tear or cut into pieces for serving.
- Once the soup is hot and seasoned to your liking, pour it into bowls. Top with the crispy bacon and serve with the seasoned flatbread for dipping.
Ingredients
- 3 cans of peas (15 oz. each)
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 3 oz. bacon
- 1 ultra-thin pizza crust
- 1.75 tsp steak seasoning (divided)
Nutritional Values
Calories: 342kcal | Carbohydrates: 47g | Protein: 15g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 1492mg | Fiber: 11g | Sugars: N/A | Cholesterol: N/A
FAQ
- Can I substitute canned peas with frozen peas?
- Yes, you can use frozen peas instead of canned peas. You will need around 4-5 cups of thawed peas to replace the three cans. Frozen peas tend to have a fresher taste, a sweeter flavor, and a more vibrant color compared to canned peas.
- What if there isn’t a dollar store nearby?
- If a dollar store isn’t accessible, you can still make this budget-friendly recipe using ingredients from a regular grocery store. Sometimes, prices at traditional grocery stores might even be lower than those at dollar stores, as dollar stores don’t specialize in food items.
- What additional ingredients can enhance the pea soup?
- You can enhance the pea soup by adding ingredients such as diced onion, garlic, carrot, and celery, sautéed in the bacon fat. Adding diced ham makes it heartier, and extra herbs like oregano and thyme can enrich the flavor. A diced potato can make the soup more filling, and adding shredded cheese to the flatbread before baking will make it extra delicious.
- How do I prepare the flatbread for this recipe?
- To prepare the flatbread, brush it with some bacon fat from the soup pot, sprinkle it with steak seasoning, and bake it at 400ºF for about 5 minutes or until it becomes golden and crispy. Then, tear or cut it into pieces for serving alongside the soup.
- Can this recipe be adjusted for dietary restrictions?
- This pea soup recipe is already dairy-free and egg-free. However, if you have specific dietary requirements, consider adjusting the ingredients accordingly, such as omitting bacon for a vegetarian version or using low-sodium broth for a reduced-salt diet.
Tips
- Opt for Frozen Peas: If available, use frozen peas instead of canned ones. They provide a fresher taste, vibrant color, and a sweeter flavor, enhancing the overall quality of your soup.
- Enhance with Aromatics: To elevate the soup’s flavor, consider sautéing diced onion, garlic, carrot, and celery in the bacon fat before adding the pureed peas. This will add depth and complexity to your dish.
- Mind the Seasoning: Be cautious when adding steak seasoning to the soup, as it contains salt. Start with a small amount, taste the soup, and gradually add more to avoid over-salting.
- Experiment with Add-Ins: If you have extra ingredients, try adding diced ham for a heartier soup or a diced potato for added texture. You can also sprinkle shredded cheese on the flatbread before baking for a cheesy twist.
Equipment
- Blender or Immersion Blender – for puréeing the peas and chicken broth into a smooth consistency.
