Yellow Split Pea & Kale Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tsps olive oil
• 1/3 oz dried shrimp
• 1/2 cup barley
• 1 yukon gold potato
• 4 cups unsalted vegetable stock with bhut jolokia
• 8 oz ham hock
• 2 tbsps cider vinegar
• 1 medium carrot
• 1 large celery stalk
• 6 cloves garlic
• 3 cups kale, chopped
• 1 leek
• 1 oz bacon fat
• 1/2 oz dried maitake mushrooms
• 1 large onion
• 4 cups water
• 1 lb split pea

Directions

1. Dice vegetables and sweat in bacon fat (except kale). Add peas, barley and stock and bring back to simmer.
2. In another pot, boil 4 cups water. Add hock, dried shrimp and maitake mushrooms. Simmer until hock starts falling apart. Reserve liquid and break down hock.
3. Add hock stock and meat to peas. Simmer 1 hour.
4. Puree half of the mixture in blender. Add back to pot. Add olive oil and vinegar. Simmer and add salt and seasonings to taste.
5. Add some green onion, cilantro and Sriracha to garnish.