HEARTY SPLIT PEA & POTATO SOUP

Hearty Split Pea & Potato Soup image

Provided by BoxOWine

Categories Beans

Time 5h20m

Yield 8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

1 lb split peas
8 cups cold water
1 can beef or 1 can chicken broth
1 ham bone
1 large onion, chopped (1 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 large potato, finely chopped
1 large carrot, finely chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon crushed rosemary (optional)
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 bay leaf
thinly sliced hot dogs or smoked sausage (optional)

Steps:

Rinse and soak green peas in cold water to cover for approx 2 hrs.
Drain peas.
Place peas, 8 cups water, and broth in large soup pot.
Stir in all remaining ingredients except salt and pepper.
Bring to boil over high heat, reduce to low heat, cover and simmer 2 1/2 hrs.
Remove and set aside ham bone.
Remove and discard bay leaf.
Strain peas and vegetables from soup and place in food processor or blender and puree.
Return puree mixture to soup.
Cut ham pieces from ham bone and return to soup.
(optional) Add thinly sliced hot dogs or smoked sausage pieces to soup.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.