Basic Vegan Split Pea Soup

Step 1

Start by sorting through the peas, picking out any stones or bits that don’t look right. Give them a good rinse in a fine mesh strainer under cold water to get rid of any dust. Next, dump the peas into a heavy-bottomed pot with a lid. Add the water, chopped onion, celery, ketchup, olive oil, salt, garlic, and bay leaves. Bring everything to a boil over medium-high heat, then turn the heat down low so it simmers gently. Let it cook, stirring and scraping the bottom every now and then, until the peas start to break down—this should take about an hour and a half. Once the peas have mostly fallen apart, stir in the carrots. Cover the pot again and keep cooking, stirring often, until the soup is thick and the peas have completely dissolved, which will take another hour and a half or so. Finally, fish out the bay leaves and season the soup with some pepper before serving.