TRINIDAD CORN SOUP

Steps:

• In a large soup pot heat oil.
• Add the onions and garlic and saute until fragrant.
• Add the potatoes, carrots, celery, thyme and pimento peppers and cook for about 5 mins stirring constantly.
• Add the split peas and stock.
• Add salt and black pepper to taste.
• Add the scotch bonnet pepper and if using the coconnut milk.
• Cover the pot and simmer for about an hour until peas are soft.
• Use an immersion or ordinary blender and puree soup to a thick and creamy consistency and return to the pot.
• Add corn and dumplings and cook for a further 20 minutes until corn is cooked and the dumplings float to the surface.
• Add culantro, remove from the heat, taste and adjust seasonings.
• If soup is too thick at any time, add water.