Old Bohemian Christmas Eve Peas

7. 10. 2025

Try something new – why not to taste the Old Bohemian Christmas Eve pea soup?

In addition to carrots, you can add a few pairs of yellow or red potatoes to this pea soup; the peas will be even more hearty.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of dried split peas
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 4 cups of water
• 1 onion
• 3 stalks of celery
• 1 clove of garlic
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme
• 700 g ham with bone
• 2 carrots
• fresh parsley for garnish

Method

1. Take the peas and rinse them thoroughly, or soak them overnight.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large pot.
3. Add finely chopped onion and celery, and sauté for 3 minutes.
4. Add the crushed garlic and sauté for another 1 minute.
5. Add chicken broth and water.
6. Add the halved peas, bay leaves, and thyme.
7. Lightly salt and pepper.
8. Add the bone-in ham to the soup mixture.
9. Bring to a boil, then reduce to low.
10. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the peas and ham are tender, about 60 to 90 minutes.
11. Remove the ham, rest for 10 minutes, then shred or dice some meat.
12. Meanwhile, add diced carrots to the soup.
13. Cover the soup and cook, stirring occasionally, until the peas mostly break down, about 30 minutes.
14. Stir in the ham and season with salt as needed.

Serve this Christmas pea soup warm, garnished with parsley.

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