Swedish Yellow Pea Soup

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried, whole or split yellow peas (see note)
• 1 large onion, chopped, 1 1/2 to 2 cups
• 1 pound fresh bacon, in one piece
• 1 bunch fresh marjoram or thyme
• Hot and sweet or hot mustard, to taste
• Fine sea salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste

• Nutritional Information

  • Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

    294 calories; 22 grams fat; 7 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 9 grams monounsaturated fat; 3 grams polyunsaturated fat; 11 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 4 grams sugars; 10 grams protein; 37 milligrams cholesterol; 379 milligrams sodium

  Note: Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available data.
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8 servings

Preparation

1. Rinse the peas in a colander under cool running water. Put them in a large, nonreactive bowl and cover with water by 2 inches. Let soak uncovered in a cool place overnight.
2. Put the peas and soaking water into a heavy 6-to-8-quart pot. Add water to cover again by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over medium heat, and let boil two minutes. Skim off and discard any foam and skins that rise to the top.
3. Stir in the chopped onion. Cut the piece of bacon crosswise into two pieces, and add to the pot with 3 tablespoons fresh marjoram or thyme leaves, stripped of stems and chopped.
4. Let the soup boil gently for 40 to 90 minutes until it becomes very thick and buttery yellow. Whole peas will take longer and will be soft but still whole when cooked. Split peas will take a shorter time to cook and will almost disintegrate. If the soup becomes too thick, add more water.
5. Remove the pot from the heat. Remove the two pieces of bacon, and cut off and discard the rind. Cut the bacon crosswise into 1/2-inch slices. Reserve.
6. Stir the soup well, and season with 2 to 4 tablespoons mustard. Add salt, if necessary, and black pepper. Add more fresh thyme or marjoram if desired.
7. Serve with soup in shallow bowls with slices of bacon on the side. Pass additional mustard to stir into the soup. In Sweden, this soup, called artsoppa, is served with crisp rye bread covered with grated vasterbottem, a sharp, hard cheese. Aged cheddar and Parmigiano Reggiano are good substitutes.

• Yellow split peas are readily available. Dried whole yellow peas are available for $1.25 a pound at Kalustyan, 123 Lexington Avenue, at 28th Street, (212) 685-3451.