Easy and flavorful pressure cooker split pea soup

This pressure cooker split pea soup is a hearty and comforting dish that can be prepared in a fraction of the time. Packed with nutritious split peas, vegetables, and spices, it's a perfect meal for chilly days. Using a pressure cooker cuts down the cooking time while intensifying the flavors. Serve this wholesome soup with crusty bread for a satisfying and delicious dinner.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried split peas
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 cups vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley for garnish

Directions

1. Rinse the split peas under cold water and set aside.
2. Select the sauté function on your pressure cooker and heat the olive oil.
3. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and diced celery to the pot. Sauté for 5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
4. Stir in the minced garlic, dried thyme, smoked paprika, bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper.
5. Add the rinsed split peas and vegetable broth to the pot. Stir well to combine.
6. Close the pressure cooker lid and set the valve to sealing position.
7. Select the manual or pressure cook button and set the timer for 15 minutes on high pressure.
8. Once the cooking time is up, let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes, then carefully quick release the remaining pressure.
9. Remove the bay leaf from the soup and discard.
10. Use an immersion blender to blend the soup to your desired consistency. If you prefer a chunky soup, skip this step.
11. Taste the soup and adjust the seasonings if needed.
12. Serve the pressure cooker split pea soup hot, garnished with fresh parsley and accompanied by crusty bread.

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