Monday, December 29, 2008

All Things Green...Solar Cooked Split Pea and Pesto Soup

Solar Cooking is one of the easier cooking methods.
Unlike stove top, soups and stew have a very low chance of burning, and the heat source is not only clean and free, it is also what grows these split peas in the first place! You can't get any more natural than that!

Italian style split pea soup with pesto and homemade crackers
For the soup you will need:
1 lb split peas
5 cups vegetable stock
1 medium onion, chopped
1 T dry rosemary
3T prepared basil pesto (I use my own but feel free to use your favorite brand)
Fresh cracked black pepper, to taste
sea salt, to taste
In a dark covered pot that fits in the solar oven, combine the first four ingredients. Cover and place in the solar oven. Oven heats quickly to around 300 degrees. Cook 3-4 hours (if left unattended, it's not a problem...it works like a crock pot in this regard. LOVE that!!)

Remove from the oven with hot pads and add 1-2 cups more vegetable stock for thinner soup,



This is how it looks without added stock.

Add the pesto, salt, pepper, and stock and it will look like this...

Garnish with crackers...
I make my own leaf shaped ones just for fun!


Enjoy being green!


4 comments:

Amy said...

You need your own restaurant!

I'm so happy to have this recipe. I've been looking for a GOOD split-pea soup.

Chef Tess said...

I think you will love this one Amy!

Unknown said...

I will be trying this soup this weekend...can I get the same results in my crock pot? It looks very yummy!

Unknown said...

Great recipe! Everyone should know that they can make their own solar cooker in about an hour from a single cardboard box, aluminum foil, a plastic bag, and a dark pot. Here is a link to free plans:

The Fun-Panel

Tom Sponheim
Solar Cookers International