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Vegetarian erwtensoep

Split pea soup

Snert: thick Dutch split pea soup with celeriac and leek

Erwtensoep, or snert, is the soup that Dutch skaters drink from paper cups at the koek-en-zopie stalls on frozen lakes, and that families leave to simmer on a Saturday in January. A proper snert is so thick that a spoon should stand upright in the pan, and it tastes better on the second day. The traditional pot is full of pork and smoked sausage; this version gets its depth from celeriac, leek, a little smoked paprika and a long, slow simmer. Serve it with dark rye bread (roggebrood), butter and mustard. Chef's tip: stir the bottom of the pan every 10 minutes in the last half hour; split peas settle as they thicken and catch easily, and a scorched taste spreads through the whole pot.
Total time
140 min
Difficulty
easy
Serves
6
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Ingredients

Serves6

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Fresh ingredients (6)

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Method

0/6 done
  1. Step 1: Put 1 ⅛ lb green split peas, 6 ¼ cups water, 2 cups vegetable stock and 2 bay leaves in a large heavy pot. Bring to the boil over a high heat and skim off the grey foam that rises.

    10 min
  2. Step 2: Lower the heat to a slow simmer, half cover and cook for 45 minutes, stirring now and then, until the peas start to break up.

    45 min
  3. Step 3: Meanwhile heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and soften 1 onion for 6–8 minutes until translucent and sweet-smelling.

    8 min
  4. Step 4: Add the onion, 12 ½ oz celeriac, 2 leeks, 2 carrots, 1 potato, 1 tsp smoked paprika and ½ tsp dried thyme to the soup pot. Simmer for another 50–60 minutes, stirring the bottom every 10 minutes, until the peas have melted completely and the soup is so thick a wooden spoon stands up in it for a moment.

    55 min
  5. Step 5: If it gets too stiff before the vegetables are soft, add a splash of hot water. Don't add salt until the end: the soup reduces a lot and a pot seasoned early can end up far too salty.

  6. Step 6: Remove the bay leaves, stir in 3 tbsp celery leaves, 1 ½ tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper. For the best flavour, cool and refrigerate overnight, then reheat slowly with a little water over a low heat.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
360 kcal
Protein
22 g
Carbs
58 g
Fat
5 g
Fibre
20 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does vegetarian erwtensoep take?
About 140 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 120 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
Can I make it ahead?
Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
What can I use instead of vegetable stock?
Chicken stock, same amount (not vegetarian).
What can I use instead of bay leaves?
Leave it out, or a pinch of dried thyme (it's a background flavour).

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Perfect for:Winter warmers