Recipe: Curried Split Pea Soup

You’ve probably heard about the importance of gut health, but did you know your oral health is just as important? Your mouth is home to millions of bacteria, fungi and viruses that create what is called an oral microbiome. A healthy oral microbiome plays an important role in healthy teeth and gums. Researchers have also linked irregularities in the oral microbiome with health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis.

This means we need to consider what we eat not only for our general and gut health but also for our mouth. One way to do this is to eat a healthy diet rich in foods that do not promote cavities. Some foods you want to include in your diet include proteins, vegetables, fats and sugar-free gum. 

Curried split pea soup is healthy for your whole body, including your teeth!

Ingredients:

2 tbsp olive oil

1 med onion, diced

2 med carrots, sliced

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp curry powder

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp ground cumin

½ black pepper

¼ tsp ground cloves

7 cups vegetable broth

1 pound dried split peas

1 medium yellow potato, diced

salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

1. Coat the bottom of a large pot with oil and place it over medium heat. 
2. Give the oil a minute to heat up, then add the onion and carrots. Cook the vegetables for about 10 minutes.
3. Stir in the garlic, curry powder, garam masala, cumin, black pepper and cloves. Cook the mixture for about 1 minute, stirring constantly.
4. Stir in broth, split peas and potatoes. Raise the heat to high and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally.
5. Lower the heat to a low simmer, then cover the pot for about 45 minutes to 1 hour. 
6. Add hot water for the desired consistency. Season to taste.

Next Steps & Resources

• Register for our Nutrition and Cutting Edge Kitchen Classes
• Recipe shared by the oncology dietitians at John Theurer Cancer Center