The Heart of the Soup

This soup is a hug in a bowl. It simmers all day, filling your home with a warm, happy smell. It reminds me of snowy afternoons at my grandma’s house. We would come in from the cold, and the air smelled like this.

That smell meant we were safe and fed. That is why this soup matters. It is not just food. It is a feeling of comfort. What smell makes you feel safe and cozy at home? I would love to know.

A Little Kitchen Trick

You start everything in your slow cooker. But here is a neat trick. You cook the onions and celery in the microwave first. This makes them soft and sweet. It wakes up their flavor.

Just mix them with butter, garlic, and spices in a bowl. Cover it and cook for five minutes. Doesn’t that smell amazing already? This step matters because it gives your soup a deeper, richer taste right from the start.

Let It Do Its Thing

Now, the easy part. Pour the water and split peas into your slow cooker. Add the ham pieces and bay leaves. Then, stir in your soft onion mix. Put the lid on and walk away.

Let it cook for many hours. You can go build a snowman. Or read a book. The slow cooker does all the work. *Fun fact*: Split peas are actually dried peas split in half. That is why they cook so nicely and thicken the soup all by themselves!

The Final Stir

When you come back, the peas will be very soft. Take out the big ham hock and the bay leaves. Now, get your whisk. Give the soup a good, strong whisk for about thirty seconds.

This breaks up the peas and makes the soup creamy. I still laugh at how such a simple stir changes everything. Then, shred the ham steak with two forks and stir it back in. Taste it. Does it need a little more salt or pepper? You are the boss of your soup.

Your Bowl of Cozy

Ladle the soup into big bowls. It is thick, hearty, and full of smoky ham flavor. Every spoonful warms you from the inside out. This is perfect for a busy holiday week.

You made something real and good. That is a wonderful feeling. Do you have a favorite cozy meal for cold days? Tell me about it. And if you make this, will you share a picture of your finished bowl? I would love to see it.

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Water	7 cups
Green split peas	1 pound (2 cups)	Picked over and rinsed
Ham steak	1 pound	Rind discarded, quartered
Smoked ham hock	12 ounces
Bay leaves	2
Onions	2	Chopped
Celery rib	1	Minced
Unsalted butter	2 tablespoons
Garlic cloves	3	Minced
Salt and pepper	To taste
Dried thyme	3/4 teaspoon
Red pepper flakes	1/4 teaspoon

My Cozy Christmas Pea and Ham Soup

Hello, my dear. Come sit at the table. Let me tell you about this soup. It is my favorite Christmas week tradition. The house fills with the most wonderful, salty, cozy smell. Doesn’t that sound perfect for a cold day? I make it in my slow cooker. It bubbles away all day, making magic. This recipe is very old and very forgiving. I still laugh at the time I forgot the onions. It was still good, but not quite right!

Let’s get your soup started. First, gather all your ingredients. Rinse those split peas in a colander. Look for any little stones. I’ve only ever found one, but we check anyway. Now, put the water, peas, ham pieces, and bay leaves right into the slow cooker. Easy, see? Next, we soften the onions and celery. Put them in a bowl with the butter, garlic, thyme, pepper flakes, and salt. Cover it and microwave for about 5 minutes. This little trick saves so much time and tears. (My hard-learned tip: Don’t skip microwaving the onions. It gives the soup a much deeper, sweeter flavor.)

Step 1: Scoop that soft, fragrant onion mix into the slow cooker. Give everything a gentle stir. Now, put the lid on. You can cook it on low for 8 to 9 hours. Or use high for 5 to 6 hours. Go do something fun while it cooks. I like to watch the birds at the feeder. The soup is ready when the peas are completely soft and falling apart. Your whole home will smell amazing.

Step 2: Time to finish our soup. Carefully pull out the big ham pieces with tongs. Let the ham steak cool on a plate. Throw away the ham hock bone and the bay leaves. Now, take a whisk and stir the soup hard for 30 seconds. This breaks up the peas and makes it creamy. Use two forks to shred your ham steak into little bits. Stir the ham back into the pot. Taste it. Does it need a pinch more salt or pepper? Do you think this soup tastes better the next day? Share below!

Three Fun Twists to Try

This soup is like a dear friend. It is happy to change its clothes for you. Here are some fun ways to make it new. Smoky Veggie Twist: Skip the ham. Use a big spoonful of smoked paprika and chopped carrots instead. After-Christmas Special: Use your leftover Christmas ham bone instead of the ham hock. It’s thrifty and delicious. Extra Cozy Version: Stir in a peeled, chopped potato at the start. It makes the soup even thicker and heartier. Which one would you try first? Comment below!

Serving Your Masterpiece

Ladle the hot soup into big, deep bowls. I like to add a final sprinkle of black pepper on top. A piece of warm, buttered crusty bread is a must for dipping. A simple green salad on the side is perfect, too. For a drink, a cold, fizzy apple cider is lovely. For the grown-ups, a glass of amber ale pairs beautifully with the smoky ham. It just feels right. Which would you choose tonight?

Keeping Your Cozy Soup Cozy Later

This soup is even better the next day. Let it cool completely first. Then pop it in the fridge for up to four days.

You can freeze it for months, too. I use old yogurt containers. They hold the perfect amount for one person.

I once froze it in a big block. Thawing took forever! Smaller portions are much smarter. Reheat it gently on the stove with a splash of water.

Making a big batch saves future-you time. A ready meal waits in your freezer. It feels like a gift from your past self.

Have you ever tried storing soup this way? Share your tips below!

Simple Fixes for Soup Surprises

Is your soup too thick? Just stir in a little hot water or broth. Add it slowly until it looks right.

Not thick enough? Let it cook uncovered for a bit. The extra steam will escape. The soup will get heartier.

I remember when my soup tasted bland. The fix was easy. I just added another pinch of salt at the end.

Tasting as you go builds your confidence. You learn what your food needs. Small adjustments make big flavor differences.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Soup Questions, Answered

Q: Is this soup gluten-free?
A: Yes, it is! All the ingredients are naturally free of gluten.

Q: Can I make it ahead?
A: Absolutely. Follow the storage tips above. It tastes better the next day.

Q: I don’t have a ham hock.
A: Use a smoked turkey leg instead. It gives a similar smoky flavor.

Q: Can I double the recipe?
A: Only if your slow cooker is big enough. Do not fill it past the rim.

Q: Any optional tips?
A: A dash of vinegar at the end brightens all the flavors. Fun fact: My grandpa always did this!

Which tip will you try first?

From My Kitchen to Yours

I hope this soup warms your home. It is a hug in a bowl. The smell alone is pure comfort.

I would love to see your creation. Share a picture of your cozy dinner table. Let’s swap stories and smiles.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest @ElowensKitchenNook!

Happy cooking! —Elowen Thorn.