Hearty Ham Soup & Yummy Plum Cake

Hearty Ham soup

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter

  • 2 cups chopped onion

  • 1 cup diced carrot (¼-inch dice)

  • 1 cup diced celery (¼-inch dice)

  • ¼ to 1 tsp kosher salt, to taste

  • ½ tsp freshly-ground black pepper, plus additional to taste

  • 5 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 lb dried split peas, rinsed and sorted

  • 1 meaty ham bone

  • 1 large bay leaf or 2 small)

  • 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves,

  • chopped & divided

  • 6 cups chicken stock

  • 2 cups water

  • 1 cup diced ham (¼-inch dice)

  • Croutons/Toast for serving

Instructions

  1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, melt butter and add onion, carrot, celery, salt and pepper. Cook until vegetables are softened, 6-9 minutes. Add garlic and cook until aromatic. Stir in split peas.

  2. Add ham bone, bay leaf, and 1 tsp thyme. Stir in chicken stock and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 60-95 minutes, stirring occasionally, until split peas are cooked down and soup is thickened to desired consistency.

  3. Add diced ham during the last 10 minutes of cooking. When ready to serve, remove and discard ham bone and bay leaf, and stir in remaining 1 tsp fresh thyme. Season to taste with salt, if needed. Serve hot with croutons and cracked black pepper.

*In flyer September 24 - 30, 2023
Recipe and photo credit: Striped Spatula

Yummy Plum Cake

Ingredients

  • 1½ cups all-purpose flour

  • 1½ tsp baking powder

  • 1 tsp cinnamon

  • ¼ tsp nutmeg

  • ⅛ tsp cardamom

  • ½ tsp salt

  • 8 tbs (½ cup) unsalted butter, softened, plus more forthe pan

  • 1 cup plus 2 tbs sugar, divided

  • 1 large egg

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

  • ½ cup milk (low-fat is fine)

  • 1 lb plums, pitted and quartered

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F and set an oven rack in the middle position. Grease a 9-inch springform pan.

  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt.

  3. In the bowl cream the butter and 1 cup of the sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on low speed until well combined. Gradually add the flour mixture, alternating with the milk, until smooth.

  4. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan and smooth the top with an offset spatula. Arrange the plums on top, skin side up, in a circular pattern so that they mostly cover the batter. Sprinkle the remaining 2 tbs of sugar over the plums.

  5. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, until golden on top and set in the center. Serve with ice cream.

*In flyer September 24 - 30, 2023
Recipe and photo credit: Once Upon a Chef

Annah Kassen