CROCK POT VEGETARIAN SPLIT PEA & CAULIFLOWER SOUP WITH OPTIONAL HAM ADD-IN

Crock Pot Vegetarian Split Pea & Cauliflower Soup with Optional Ham Add-In image

Provided by Kare for Kitchen Treaty

Time 8h10m

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion (diced (about 2 cups))
1 stalk celery (diced (about 1/2 cup))
2 cloves garlic (minced)
3 cups cauliflower florets (chopped into 1/2-inch pieces)
2 cups dried split peas
6 cups vegetable broth
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon sage
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 bay leaf
Additional salt and freshly-ground black pepper to taste
Olive oil and smoked paprika for garnish
Ham add-in
1/4 cup diced ham per serving

Steps:

In a saute pan over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon olive oil, onion, and celery. Cook, stirring, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook one more minute. Add to 4.5-quart or larger Crock Pot along with cauliflower, split peas, vegetable broth, cumin, sage, thyme, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bay leaf.
Cook on low for 8 hours, or until split peas are completely soft.
Taste and add additional salt and pepper if needed.
If adding ham, remove about 1 1/2 cups per serving to a saucepan and stir in 1/4 cup diced ham. Heat together for about 10 minutes.
Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of smoked paprika. Top carnivorous servings with additional chopped ham if desired.