With all of the snow we've had lately, it got me thinking. We've had nearly a week of notice. We've been able to get ready. We've known approximately how long the storm was going to last. Our parents and grand-parents didn't have that. Is it a wonder that they kept a pot of soup simmering on the stove?
As the snow started falling yesterday, I put a smoked ham in the oven for supper. Today, as the cold hits and there is a lot of heavy work to be done outside, I've got a a lovely split pea soup simering on the stove. Not only does it help warm the house, it will be a comforting meal at the end of the day.
In my dutch oven pot, I poured in about 1 inch of water, placed my ham, scored the fat cap lightly, covered it and placed it in a low and slow oven for the afternoon. By the end, the meat was falling off the bone. There was an extra 1.5 inch of liquid to boot! So we had a wonderfully tender ham with potatoes and steamed brocoli for supper last night. I kept the liquid for the soup today.
This morning, I cooked my yellow split peas in the ham liquid with onions, celery, bell peppers and carrots. Tonight we eat comfort in a bowl.
