Simple, satisfying split pea soup
Comfort can be found in a warm bowl any time of the year.
Q: Wednesdays are my favorite read of the week thanks to your food section. On a cool, rainy South Florida day there’s nothing more satisfying than soup. Mario’s Osteria’s pea soup is comforting and delicious. Are you able to get the recipe this cool off-season? — Shelley, Boca Raton
A: Thank you Shelley for keeping the Sun Sentinel and “You Asked For It” at the top on your reading list. And yes, I agree comfort can be found in a warm bowl of soup, especially when temperatures drop. What I find appealing about the split pea soup at Mario’s Osteria (1400 Glades Road, Boca Raton, 561-239-7000, mariososteria .com) goes beyond our “winter” season. As someone who cooks daily, I appreciate the recipe’s uncomplicated approach and clean flavors. No fancy ingredients, special equipment or professional culinary skills required here. In fact, you may have all the makings in your kitchen right now. High nutrient and protein counts score big points, too.
Owner Mary Baker further explains the soups claim to fame: “The split pea soup has been offered at Mario’s since 1985 as one of our featured soups of the day. It is not on our daily menu. Mario’s is committed to offering healthy choices for our guests. The split pea soup is gluten free and vegan.” This seems to be been a consistent thread with Mario’s menus, also demonstrated with their signature simply grilled calamari and mussels Arosta, “Sardinia style”, both recipes featured in this column in 2016.
For meat eaters, consider this a base recipe that can be adapted. Add flavor by sauteing chopped bacon with the vegetables. Or put those upcoming Easter ham bones to good use by simmering for added smokiness.
A big shout out to manager Sande Weinstein for working with the kitchen to pull this recipe together for Shelley. And congratulations are in order for celebrating his 31st year at Mario’s. That’s quite an impressive feat in a fickle industry known for its high turnover rate. From the food to the staff, consistency and longevity go handin-hand at this casual Italian hotspot. Don’t forget to call ahead to check availability of Mario’s split pea soup since it is offered periodically as a special.