Hearty curried split pea soup (slow cooker)

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Yes, this is easy-peasy--really--and really good. Hearty, flavorful and satisfying. Which is perfect right now, because I've gone and caught an awful cold. The first I've had while breastfeeding, and the timing is as bad as its head-pounding, throat-scratching, bunged-up persistence, since Dave's mum is here from England and I hate to be sniffling, snorting, and retiring to be miserable and alone so much of the time. At least on the flip side there is an extra set of hands to count on, and thanks to her the house is really clean and I don't have to worry about added irritation from dust buildup.

I'm feeling rotten enough, that's pretty much all I'm going to say about this soup. It doesn't look like much in the picture--but you know about my awful (lack of) photography skills. I guess improving my poor abilities in that area will be on the new year resolution list AGAIN because there isn't a whole lot of hope for 2013. Just know it's soothing and satiating with a whole lot of goodness. I made it vegetarian, though you could add some pork or ham. Sweet potatoes in the slow cooker always lend a melt-in-your-mouth, mildly sweet smoothness, and blend really nicely with the peas, carrots and curry spice.

I'm paranoid about Little Monkey getting sick, and he does seem a bit weary, but he's also a staunch wee trooper. He may just seem tired because he's so terribly determined to get on the move. He just hit 3-months, and is straining to sit up at every opportunity; he's stretching his legs out stiffly in an effort to stand; and he's rolling about from back to side with the utmost seriousness. The way he watches the world with what already looks like astuteness and compassion makes me think he and his Dad are going to be two peas in a pod as Little Monkey grows. Love him, love him, love him.

Happy Thanksgiving friends!

Curried split pea soup

  • 2 cups green split peas
  • 8 cups water, vegetable, or chicken stock
  • 1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
  • 3 carrots, chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 onion, diced
  • 2 teaspoons curry powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • sea salt and black pepper to taste
*optional: 1 cup diced cooked ham

Combine all ingredients in the crockpot. Cook on low for 5+ hours, or until peas are tender. Thin as desired with hot water as needed to serve.