The ... What are you doing or thinking right now - Topic

[glenshena]

I'm thinking, with all the poverty there is in the world, how can anyone spend 120 million dollars on something so unecessary as a Monet painting. Pure egoism.

[brian f]

The misses is currently watching the Eurovision song contest I enjoy the peace and quiet, not heard a word from her it should be on more often.

Apparently- Australia have a good chance of winning it ..

[bonzo]

Netherlands win it. U.K. stane last.

[Hughie]

Apparently- Australia have a good chance of winning it ..

Don't know how she managed to sing while on top of that bendy pole.

[brian f]

Netherlands win it. U.K. stane last.

I know its political these days, if by a miracle Rod Stewart or Adele line up for us next year would you fancy our chances...

Can somebody tell me why the U.k are so unpopular.

[glenshena]

At least Italy got second place.

[Hughie]

Sunday morning and just about to make some Pea and Ham soup.

[John Donnelly]

Sunday morning and just about to make some Pea and Ham soup.

Hi Hughie.
Wouldn't mind the recipe for that.
JD.

[Hughie]

Here you go, John.
Pea and Ham Soup

INGREDIENTS
290g (1 1/3 cups) green split peas
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 carrots, peeled, chopped
2 sticks celery, trimmed, chopped
1 brown onion, halved, chopped
3 garlic cloves, crushed
700g ham or bacon hocks
1.5L (6 cups) cold water
Salt & freshly ground black pepper
Bread, to serve

METHOD
Step 1
Rinse split peas under cold running water till water runs clear. Drain.

Step 2
Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add carrot, celery, onion and garlic, and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until the onion softens.

Step 3
Add split peas, ham hocks and water. Bring to the boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, covered, for 2-2 1/2 hours or until ham hocks are tender and the meat is falling away from the bones. Set aside for 5 minutes to cool slightly. Remove ham hocks from pan. Remove the meat from bones. Coarsely chop meat and set aside.

Step 4
Place one-quarter of the pea mixture in the bowl of a food processor and process until smooth. Return to pan with ham. Repeat with remaining pea mixture. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Stir over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until hot.

Step 5
Ladle soup into bowls and serve immediately with crusty bread.

[John Donnelly]

Here you go, John.

Thanks, Hughie.
I'll let you know when we have a go. We're in the middle of moving house at the moment.
I notice you used smoked ham. We usually use unsmoked when cooking ham dishes.
Do you have a preference or is smoked the way to go?

JD.

[Hughie]

John, I've used the smoked hock other than once last year when I tried at the suggestion of a friend these bacon chops from Aldi's. The soup turned out very nice but I do prefer the smoked hock.

[John Donnelly]

Thanks Hughie.
We're up to our ears in removal boxes here, so it's not likely to be any time soon, but I'll let you know of our success.

JD.