Miso paste, a traditional Japanese ingredient made from fermenting soybeans, enriches this soup with a deep, savory flavor and enhances the creamy texture of the peas. We think it's a must, but you can use an extra 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt instead. Bacon adds a hearty flavor to the base of the soup, but you can sub the bacon for any cooking oil of your choice for a vegetarian option. With 26 grams of protein, this hearty bowl of soup is sure to keep you full and satisfied. Double the batch and freeze leftovers for up to 3 months.
How to Make It
Place bacon in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat; cook 5 minutes or until crisp. Remove bacon with a slotted spoon; crumble.
Add onion, celery, carrot, and garlic to drippings in pan; sauté 5 minutes or until slightly tender. Add miso, salt, pepper, and peas to pan; sauté 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add stock and bay leaf; bring to a boil over medium-high. Partially cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 1 hour or until peas are tender. Discard bay leaf. Stir in bacon.