Pea and Ham soup! - Recipe!

I have got into making my own soup this year. It's all thanks to Gousto and their carrot & coriander soup that we first had ages ago. I always thought there was more to making soup but it's pretty easy. I was looking for something a bit different than tomato or vegetable soup and came across the recipe for Pea and Ham soup on the BBC Good Food website.

The kids were determined they weren't going to eat it the first time I made it and when they came in it was all they could smell and that won them round. They both ended up going back for 2nd helpings which was really surprising as Ellie hates peas usually. It doesn't taste of peas though, it's more of a ham taste. They call it Shrek soup now because it looks like a melted down Shrek. hehehe 

What you need to make the pea and ham soup:

An onion.

2 large potatoes.

2 Ham stock cubes.

A bag of frozen Petit Pois. I use the 545g bag.

As much ham as you want chopped up.

Some butter.

I didn't even know you could get ham stock cubes until I started planning on making this soup. I thought I would have to boil a joint of ham or something like that but these little cubes make life much easier.

This time when I made it they sent me two different types of ham instead of 2 of the shredded ham hock which we prefer. It didn't make a difference. I chopped the honey roast ham up and put that in the soup along with some of the shredded ham but did keep some back to sprinkle on the top of the soup when it was being served.

How to make:

Chop the onions and put them in a pan with a melted knob of butter. I always use the pan that I am making the soup in, it saves on the washing up. 

Just before the onions start to brown add the chopped potatoes. I don't bother peeling them. I am sure it could add to the flavour. When they are coated in butter add 1 litre of ham stock. The 2 stock cubes is enough for 1 litre.

Simmer everything in the pan until the potatoes have softened and then add your frozen peas and bring the pan to the boil. Leave to simmer for another 5 minutes or so and then take it from the heat and blend.

The first time I made soup I used our Breville blender as I didn't have anything else. I have since bought a hand blender which is a lot easier to use.

When the soup is blended add the ham and give it a good mix, remember to keep some back to add when you serve it. We always get some fresh buns from the butchers to have with it and it's always amazing!

It is such a quick meal to make, I can go into the kitchen, start cooking and be eating within half an hour.

Do you like to make soup? What's your favourite?