Secret Pea Soup

Pea soup is one of my favorites.  It always reminds me of the joys of New England.  Thick fogs,  damp bone chilling cold, pelting icy rain, and endless mud. Pea soup is what will warm the belly and cheer the spirit as we wait eternally for spring in Maine.  The secret here is that this pea soup is extra rich, and full of rib sticking goodness to get us thru any nor'easter.

Secret Pea Soup:

• 2 onions chopped
• 2 carrots chopped
• 2 stalks celery chopped
• 2 cloves garlic chopped
• 2 Tbs oil
• 2 quarts stock or water
• 2 potatoes diced
• 1 bunch kale chopped
• 1 1/12 cups dried split peas
• 1/4 cup white rice
• 1/2 lb italian sausage sliced thin (optional)

1. saute the onions, carrots, celery and garlic till soft
2. add the stock potatoes, kale, peas, and rice and simmer for about 2 hours or longer, adding more liquid if needed, till peas are soft.
3. puree till smooth
4. saute the sliced sausage and add to the soup
5. season with salt, pepper and a pinch of nutmeg

We enjoyed this soup on a chilly rainy day and it was just what we needed to keep warm and happy. Now you know my secret.