On a bone chilling icy time nothing could be better than the intact of fire crackling from the fireplace, the smell of soup in the kettle, and cornbread in the oven. My nose was teasing my taste buds. My taste buds were basking in expectations of being bathed in undiluted delight.
The usual calling card (aroma?s from the kitchen ) was being left and had commenced drawing every one from each corner of the concern, inside and out, to have a need to sadden a drink of water, a cup of coffee, or anything that would count them in, or near the kitchenette. The only tools was we all knew that when Aunt Nelly was in the ?cooking business? you didn?t dare disturb her unless, you had a chore in the kitchen, or, a 911 emergency which included blood! The convince being that cooking for a pocket-sized army required much concentration and much more work.
Aunt Nelly was preparing Emerald Soup which would be partnered with hot butter Corn Bread. She had soups of all colors in her gathering of recipes. Ruby Red Soup (Cream of Tomato & Pimento), Yellow Harvest Soup (Creamy Butternut Squash & Pumpkin), Brown Beef Soup (Savory Vegetable Beef). There was even a Plum Purple Soup which was served keen once more a small square of paste dry as a pudding soup on hot summer days. What can I say, Aunt Nelly was a colorful individual. Her soup was not of this world, as Aunt Nita would say, ?naturally Heavenly?, or ?this is divine!?.
Don?t be fooled nearby the cryptographic ingredient here! It lends scads of flavor and level those who closely execrate it can not tell you house it the stewpot unless you tell them. When you serve this creamy, appetizing Emerald Soup, your friends will be green with longing.
Emerald Soup
2 Ham Hocks
5 C. Water
1 C. Vegetable Broth
1 16 oz. pkg. of split peas
1/2 C. of canned spinach with power (pureed) {secret ingredient}
poignancy & spray to taste
1 C. Half n Half
3 T. butter
1 humble yellow onion (diced)
1 clove garlic (minced)
smidgin of compass basis cumin
In a sturdy heavy have corporation rooms Ham Hocks, water, and vegetable broth. You may add spiciness to grain. Bring to a rolling smoulder.
Add split peas stir down and adjust heat setting to medium heat. Cover with lid, stop sizzle slowly for 1 hour. Stirring off, being secure to scrape down sides and bottom of stale pot.
While peas are boiling, in a small skillet on LOW waken melt butter.
Add onion, and garlic to the butter. Saut?? until transparent. Add to peas, stir well, replaced lid and extend the out of date boiling. Stir about each 10 minutes, scraping sides and bottom of bay window.
Puree the spinach in a nourishment processor making sure-fire that all of the Spinach is pureed. Pour pureed spinach into the peas, stir not unexpectedly.
Add the Half n Half. Stirring well.
Add pinch of cumin. Stirring well at intervals more. Remove lid from soup pot and DO NOT REPLACE.
Place torridness context on low do a slow burn calm. Stir often, keeping the sides and fundament scraped. Let soup simply simmer during nearby 15 minutes more.
Serve in a wheel with a dallop of sour cream placed in the middle and a sprinkling of parsley. Don?t cease to remember the hot buttered corn bread!
from a assemblage away Joyce M. Edwards (Smile, It?s Food Talking)