I make a lot of homemade soups, but never split pea. I guess I’ve always not liked the look of it? I mean I love peas and I love soup so it should be a win-win. I have no idea why I suddenly wanted to make (and eat) split pea soup this weekend but here I am.

My creation? All into the Instant Pot: 4 quarts of homemade chicken stock, quart of dried split peas, three chopped onions, way too much garlic (never enough), giant hunk of fatty salted pork jowl bacon back something, baby carrots, dried red pepper and salt. I put the Instant Pot on and an hour later —SPLIT PEA SOUP!

I LOVE MY INSTANT POT.

I have no idea what split pea soup is supposed to taste like. I do know however that the peas completely disingrating into the broth isn’t what I had planned. The broth, scary grinch green and all—was divine. The salty pork flavor and the onions and garlic together, mmmmm. I don’t care if it is split pea traditional or not, it’s going to be a new one in my rotation.