Split Pea Soup - thoughts on ham hocks please

I use ham hocks in split pea (and other soups) by just adding to the soup, no pre-prep needed. I've never had a "greasy and fatty" problem with those soups at all.

It's better to cook off some of that fat first. I low cooked one in the oven and it browed nicely.

I just use ham. I can’t eat that weird stuff.

If you're worried about fat, use the ham hock to make the broth first. Cool the broth and skim fat from the top (there shouldn't be much). I score the hock, cut an onion into eighths to toss in and simmer for a couple of hours. Discard onion and use another one chopped when adding the split peas, carrots and celery.

I also make a hockless version. I cube a ham streak and Sautee until the edges get brown and crisped. After you remove the ham, add some water/broth to the pan to make sure to remove all the tasty caramelization.

[quote] I just use ham. I can’t eat that weird stuff.

Weird stuff? Where do you think ham comes from?

I would just throw it in and skim, if necessary.

Of course, anything is going to taste better if pre-browned and caramelized.

But I'm talking about ease and time. Mainly: it's hard to screw up split pea soup.

I brown/caramelize/sear, etc everything before through it in.

That's the flavour!

I can't stand the cubed ham stuff they sell. I like a good bean soup but can NEVER find ham hocks when I need it. I throw in a few drops of liquid smoke and tiny, cubed potatoes and works out pretty good.

I boil it first then add everything for the soup (including potatoes).

[Quote] That's the flavour!

Sure Mary Poppins

Boil it with the soup, no need to brown.

Then when the beans are soft, remove the hock, let it cool a bit, then take the meat off of it to add back into the soup.

I use smoked paprika in my split pea soup - for those ppl serkin smoked flavah.

I roast the bone and bits until it's almost black and make. broth from that. Then strain the broth like 3 times discarding the bone and bits, then make soup.

I use a ham steak too. And there's often a round bone in the center that adds some extra flavor.

If anyone needs a ham hock, I always keep a couple in my snack purse.

I’m not eating pigs feet or joints or tail.

R16 must never have eaten a hot dog.