Split Pea Soup With Spareribs

Ingredients

3 spareribs
1,900 ml water
2 celery stalks in chunks
3 carrots in chunks
4 leeks trimmed
3 gr hickory smoked salt
3 gr salt
1 gr thyme
2 bay leaves
10 parsley sprigs
10 black peppercorns

Instructions

Combine spareribs and water in large kettle. Bring to boil. Rinse and drain peas and add to ribs along with celery, carrots, leeks, smoked salt, salt and thyme. Tie bay leaves, parsley and peppercorns in small square of cheesecloth and drop into soup. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 3 to 4 hours or until soup is consistency of thin porridge. Add hot water from time to time if needed. Remove ribs from soup, strip meat off bones and return meat to soup. Adjust seasonings, if needed. Reheat if needed, remove bundle of herbs and ladle soup into hot bowls. (C) 1992 The Los Angeles Times