As a family we love split pea soup, and we have an easy quick recipe that calls for a small amount of turmeric – without making it taste like curry.

Nothing promotes better health than turmeric, and if fresh turmeric root is not available organic powder is a great option.  I can’t say enough about the benefits of turmeric, but it’s curcumin found in the root which brings qualities.  Here’s a quick summary of its benefits – it helps with inflammation, an anti-oxidant, lowers your risk of heart disease, can help prevent cancer (possibly even treat it), can help prevent and treat Alzheimer’s Disease, helps fight depression.  It is said that ingesting curcumin with food is not enough to be beneficial, that you need to take a daily supplement in order to maximize its benefits.  Though we take curcumin supplements, I like to use it in our cooking providing these amazing benefits for our children.

Our lives are busy, but we love to eat well, so when I cook it has to be simple, fast, and exceptionally tasty; meeting kid approval.  When a ham bone becomes available, it’s the kids who request split pea soup!  I hope you give adding a bit of turmeric to it a try, the benefits are to great to leave it out.

Trim as much of the meat off of the bone as you can then fill your pot of water covering the bone

Add 2 to 3 bay leaves, then bring to a boil for 20 minutes

Throw in carrots, I like to use 3 large carrots, slicing them a bit on the larger side

Celery is a favorite vegetable for my farm guy so we add 5 stalks, but feel free to minimize the amount to 2 stalks

1 large yellow onion diced

1 to 1 1/2 cup of split peas

I add 1 tablespoon of organic turmeric (organic contains higher levels of curcumin), 1 tablespoon of freshly ground peppercorns (needed to help the curcumin absorb into your system), and a pinch of sea salt.  If you are nervous about amount of turmeric in the recipe, minimize your amount to 1/2 tablespoon working your way up to your desired amount.

Bring to a boil for 10 minutes, stirring often.  Reduce heat to low and cook for 2 to 3 hours, you will know your soup is done when the peas have turned to, well, mush!  If your soup is to thick add small amounts of water until desired consistency is met.

There you have it, a healthy home cooked meal turned healthier by a tablespoon or turmeric.  Enjoy it!