Split pea soup with crispy kielbasa

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Makes: 6 servings

¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons good olive oil 2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts, spun-dried (2 leeks)

1 ½ cups chopped yellow onion (1 large) 2 cups ( ½ -inch) diced, scrubbed carrots (3 large)

1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)

1 pound dry green split peas

8 cups good chicken stock, preferably homemade

2 cups water

1 smoked ham hock

8 fresh thyme sprigs, tied with kitchen twine 2 large fresh bay leaves

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

12 ounces smoked kielbasa, halved lengthwise and cut sliced diagonally in

¼ -inch-thick pieces

Minced fresh parsley, for serving

1. Heat ¼ cup olive oil in a large (11- to 12-inch) pot or Dutch oven over mediumhigh heat. Add leeks, onion and carrots and cook for 7 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until tender and starting to brown. 2. Stir in the garlic and cook for one minute. Stir in the peas to coat with oil and cook for one minute. Add 8 cups of the chicken stock, 2 cups water, the ham hock, thyme bundle, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat and simmer, partially covered, for 1 ¼ hours, stirring occasionally, until the peas are very tender and falling apart. After 45 minutes, stir more frequently, scraping the bottom of the pot to be sure the soup doesn’t burn.

3. Discard the thyme bundle, bay leaves and ham hock. Transfer 2 cups of the soup to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and puree. Return the puree to the pot, adding more chicken stock or water if the soup is too thick.

4. To serve, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium (10-inch) saute pan over medium heat. Add the kielbasa and saute for 5 to 6 minutes, tossing occasionally, until the kielbasa is browned. Serve the soup hot with the kielbasa and parsley sprinkled on top. Recipe and art courtesy of“Modern Comfort Food: A Barefoot Contessa Cookbook.” Published by Clarkson Potter, an imprint of Penguin Random House.