CREOLE SPLIT PEA SOUP

Creole Split Pea Soup image

Provided by Dee Tourville @Dee_Tourville

Number Of Ingredients 17

2 tablespoon(s) oil
1/2 pound(s) andouille sausage (cut into small pieces)
3/4 cup(s) cup onion, diced
1/2 cup(s) celery (diced
1 large orange pepper (diced)
1/2 cup(s) carrots, diced
6 1/2 cup(s) chicken stock
4 clove(s) garlic, chopped
1 1/2 cup(s) yellow split peas
1 teaspoon(s) ham hock
1/2 teaspoon(s) sweet paprika
1 teaspoon(s) paprika
1 teaspoon(s) cayene pepper ( more or less to taste)
2 - bay leaves, dried
1 teaspoon(s) oregano, dried
teaspoon(s) thyme, dried
- salt & pepper to taste

Steps:

Heat the oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat. Add the sausage and saute until lightly golden brown, about 5-7 minutes.
Add the onions, celery and green pepper to the pan and cook until tender, about 7-10 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes.
Add the stock, split peas, ham hock, paprika, cayenne, oregano, thyme, bay leaves, salt and pepper and bring to a boil.
Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer covered until the peas are soft and tender, about 1-3 hours.
Remove the ham hock, pull the meat from it, cut it into bite sized pieces and add it back to the pot