Yellow Split Pea Soup

• 375–500 g (¾–1 lb) yellow split peas
• 1 stalk celery with leaves, fi

Wash the split peas if necessary. It is sometimes recommended to soak the peas overnight, but I find this unnecessary. The larger amount of peas will give a thick, creamy soup, a favourite consistency in the Middle East.

Add the split peas and celery to the stock or water, bring to the boil, remove the scum and simmer gently, covered, until the peas are very soft and nearly disintegrati