recipe food soup peasoup

the UK Restaurant and Hotel Zine

Sinpson's-in-the-Strand's famous
London Particular Pea Soup

This is a comforting but delicious soup invented by the chefs at Simpson's-in-the-Strand to ward off the evil vapours associated with London Pea Souper Fog, the scourge of Victorian London, when smoke combined with the cold damp air from the River Thames to make a thick yellow smog.

When I tried it the other day in the restaurant, I was struck by the intensity of the background chicken stock. If you can make your own stock, it will add immeasurably to the quality of the flavour of the soup. There are no short cuts if you want the best results, so do make sure to soak the yellow split peas overnight.

Ingredients for six people:

3 Rashers streaky bacon, diced
1 Large chopped onion
1 Peeled Diced Carrot 
1 Diced washed Leek 

One pound (450g) Dried  Split Peas soaked overnight
4 Pints (2.5 litres) Chicken stock

Salt and Pepper - a Sprig of Thyme - a Bay leaf - a Clove of Garlic

2 slices of  Bread - cut and fried in butter for the croutons
2 ozs (50g) Butter

Method

The night before: soak the peas in cold water. Rinse and drain before cooking. 

Heat butter in pan and fry the bacon.

Add diced carrot, onion, leek with the bayleaf and thyme.
Cook to soften vegetables without browning.

Add the drained peas to the pan, then the stock. Add salt and pepper
(having checked how salty your bacon is).

Simmer until the peas are soft and mushy. 
This will usually take up to 2 hours. 

Remove soup from heat and reduce to a fine puree using a blender or
liquidiser. (When I tried the recipe I passed it through a sieve). 

Finish with a little cream.

Serving: reboil the soup and serve piping hot with the croutons
sprinkled over.

With many thanks to the chefs at Simpson's - Clifford Mould January 1999

Simpson's-in-the-Strand, 100 Strand WC2, Tel: 020 7836 9112

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Views or opinions expressed by authors are not necessarily those of the publishers, Clifton Media Associates. While every care is taken in compiling this publication, the publishers cannot assume responsibility for any effects arising therefrom.

Sinpson's-in-the-Strand's famous London Particular Pea Soup

Views or opinions expressed by authors are not necessarily those of the publishers, Clifton Media Associates. While every care is taken in compiling this publication, the publishers cannot assume responsibility for any effects arising therefrom.

Sinpson's-in-the-Strand's famous
London Particular Pea Soup