Curried Pork and Split Pea Soup is a delightful twist on traditional split pea soup, featuring the warm and aromatic flavors of curry powder. This recipe combines tender boneless pork loin roast with green split peas, carrots, celery, onions, and a flavorful blend of spices, creating a hearty and comforting soup. The addition of curry powder adds a unique and vibrant dimension to the soup, elevating its taste profile. With the use of a slow cooker, this soup can be easily prepared with minimal effort, allowing the flavors to develop and the ingredients to meld together over several hours of cooking.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1½ pounds (680 g) boneless pork loin roast, trimmed and cut into 2-inch (5 cm) pieces
- 1 cup (225 g) green split peas, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup (65 g) finely chopped carrots
- ½ cup (50 g) finely chopped celery
- ½ cup (80 g) finely chopped onions
- 6 cups (1.4 L) low-sodium chicken broth
- 2 teaspoons curry powder
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon pepper
- 2 cups (60 g) fresh spinach, torn
PREPARATION:
- In a slow cooker, combine the green split peas, chopped carrots, chopped celery, and chopped onions.
- Stir in the low-sodium chicken broth, curry powder, paprika, ground cumin, and pepper.
- Add the cut pieces of boneless pork loin roast to the slow cooker and stir well to combine.
- Cover the slow cooker and cook on low heat for 10 to 12 hours or on high heat for 4 hours, until the pork is tender and the split peas are cooked.
- Stir in the torn fresh spinach leaves.
- Serve the Curried Pork and Split Pea Soup immediately and enjoy.
YIELD: 6 servings
TIPS:
- For added depth of flavor, you can brown the pork pieces in a skillet before adding them to the slow cooker.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of curry powder according to your personal preference for spiciness.
- If desired, you can garnish the soup with a dollop of plain Greek yogurt or a sprinkle of fresh cilantro for added freshness.
NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION PER SERVING:
- 407 g water
- 329 calories (23% from fat, 45% from protein, 32% from carbs)
- 37 g protein
- 9 g total fat
- 3 g saturated fat
- 3 g monounsaturated fat
- 1 g polyunsaturated fat
- 27 g carbs
- 12 g fiber
- 5 g sugar
- 427 mg phosphorus
- 145 mg calcium
- 4 mg iron
- 273 mg sodium
- 1157 mg potassium
- 9641 IU vitamin A
- 2 mg ATE vitamin E
- 5 mg vitamin C
- 62 mg cholesterol
Curried Pork and Split Pea Soup is a delightful variation of the classic split pea soup, adding the rich and aromatic flavors of curry powder to create a unique and satisfying dish. This recipe combines tender boneless pork loin roast, green split peas, carrots, celery, onions, and a flavorful blend of spices to produce a hearty and comforting soup that will warm you up from the inside out.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and the convenience of using a slow cooker. By allowing the soup to cook slowly over an extended period, the flavors intensify, and the pork becomes tender and infused with the aromatic spices. The green split peas cook to a creamy consistency, adding texture and richness to the soup.
Curry powder plays a pivotal role in this recipe, bringing a delightful fusion of spices and heat to the soup. Its vibrant flavors complement the earthiness of the split peas and add a touch of warmth to each spoonful. The combination of curry powder, paprika, ground cumin, and pepper creates a well-balanced spice blend that enhances the overall taste profile of the soup.
The addition of fresh spinach towards the end of the cooking time not only adds a pop of vibrant green color but also contributes valuable nutrients and a hint of freshness. The torn spinach leaves provide a pleasant contrast to the rich and savory flavors of the soup, making it a well-rounded and wholesome dish.
Nutritionally, this Curried Pork and Split Pea Soup offers a balanced profile of macronutrients. It is high in protein, with each serving providing 37 grams, which can contribute to feelings of satiety and support muscle maintenance. The moderate amount of healthy fats, derived mainly from the pork loin roast, adds richness and flavor to the soup. The fiber content is notable, with 12 grams per serving, aiding in digestion and promoting feelings of fullness.
As with many soup recipes, this dish is easily customizable. Feel free to add other vegetables such as diced potatoes or bell peppers to suit your taste preferences. You can also adjust the level of spiciness by increasing or decreasing the amount of curry powder.
In conclusion, Curried Pork and Split Pea Soup is a flavorful and comforting dish that offers a delightful twist on the classic split pea soup. The combination of tender pork, creamy split peas, aromatic spices, and vibrant spinach creates a harmonious and satisfying soup. Whether enjoyed as a standalone meal or paired with crusty bread, this soup is sure to please your taste buds and warm your soul.
