If you are having a hard time finding food you like to eat because of your braces, we have got you covered with some scrumdillyumptious recipes to help you get by. In today’s offering, we have split pea soup (with ham). If you haven’t had this before, you’ll want to try it. Even people who don’t like peas go gaga for this soup.

INGREDIENTS:
-1 pound green or yellow split peas
-2 ½ quarts cold water
-¼ cup diced salt pork or other fat
-½ cup chopped leeks
-½ cup diced carrots
-½ cup chopped onions
-⅛ teaspoon thyme
-1 bay leaf
-2 teaspoons salt
-1 ham bone or shank
-1 ½ teaspoons sugar
-1 tablespoon butter
-1 tablespoon chopped parsley

DIRECTIONS:
Place dried peas and cold water in a kettle; cover and soak overnight.

Cook salt pork about 5 minutes or heat other fat in a skillet; add leeks, carrots and onions; cook about 10 minutes or until soft but not browned; add to peas.

Add seasonings and ham bone; cover and bring slowly to boil; reduce heat and simmer gently about 2 hours.

Remove ham bone. Strain; press vegetables through sieve and add to liquid. Remove any meat from the ham bone; dice and add to hot soup; add sugar and butter. Add ½ cup thin cream if desired. Garnish each serving with chopped parsley. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

If you would like more information about foods that do well with braces, call Dr. Peter Gurr and our helpful team at The Dentists for Kids in San Antonio, Texas. Phone: 210-696-2563.