Mrs. Alvin Schreiner and her mother, Mrs. Lackner, were old-time German cooks. Everything they made was a work of art. This pea soup recipe came from them and is one of our favorites. Do not omit the bacon fat; it is the secret ingredient.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 8 cups
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
In a large heavy kettle cook bacon over moderate heat, stirring, until crisp and transfer to paper towels to drain.
Step 2
Pour off all but about 1/4 cup bacon fat from kettle and cook onions and carrots, stirring, until softened. Add remaining ingredients and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally and adding 1 to 2 cups more water if soup becomes too thick, 2 hours.
Step 3
Remove kettle from heat and transfer ham hock with a slotted spoon to a cutting board. Discard fat and bones and chop meat. Return meat to kettle and simmer soup, stirring, until heated through. Discard bay leaf.
Step 4
Just before serving, crumble bacon and sprinkle over soup.
