Election Night Comfort

Tonight the guys are going to be busy setting up a media center based on an Election Night Guide to following the latest returns that was published in today's NY Times. Me, I've known what I'm going to do for a week now.

The last thing I want to be doing is making a complicated dinner, or going to a party with finger food or, even worse, trying to follow the results on the big screen TV at a bar. Tonight particularly, I want simple, comforting, filling food that will give me energy if things go well (yay Obama!) or provide ballast if not (heaven forfend!).

So you'll find me stirring a big ol' pot of split pea soup with a giant ham hock slowly melting into it. A glass of wine, a nice loaf of Como for sopping and I'm set for whatever comes my way.

Election Night Split Pea Soup

2 Tbsp. neutral oil
1 large onion, chopped fine
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 carrots, chopped fine
8 c. chicken stock
1 celery root, chopped in 1/4" dice (or 3 ribs celery, chopped fine)
2 c. split peas
1 tsp. tarragon, dried
1 large smoked ham hock
Salt and pepper to taste
Water to thin, if necessary

In a large Dutch oven or stock pot, heat oil until it shimmers, then add onion, garlic and carrots and sauté till tender. Add chicken stock, celery root, split peas, ham hock and spices and bring to boil. Turn heat down and simmer till ham hock falls off the bone (2-3 hrs.). Remove ham hock from soup and shred on plate. Using immersion blender or working in batches with upright blender, blend soup till smooth. Put shredded ham back in soup, thin with water if necessary and return to simmer. Serve.