SPLIT PEA SOUP W/HAM

SPLIT PEA SOUP W/HAM image

Provided by Lora DiGs @ansky714

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 bag(s) split green peas, dried.... 1lb 2 oz
1 tablespoon(s) olive oil
1 large onion, finely chopd
1 large carrot, finely chopd
1 stalk(s) celery, finely chopd
4 cup(s) chicken broth
4 cup(s) water (addl. water needd to cover peas)
1 - ham bone (mine was frozen for a few months wen i servd a spiral ham) or u can use smoked ham chopped ....as much as u want :)
1 teaspoon(s) thyme, fresh or 1/4 tsp dried
2 large bay leaves
- s n p to taste

Steps:

IN A STRAINER RINSE PEAS UNDER COLD WATER THEN PUT INTO SAUCEPAN N COVER WITH WATER N BOIL FOR A FEW MINUTES. TAKE A SPOON N SKIM OFF FOAM THAT DEVELOPS THEN DRAIN THE PEAS.
IN A LARGE SOUP POT HEAT OLIVE OIL N ADD CHOPD ONION N COOK FOR 3 MINUTES UNTIL SOFTEND. ADD THE CARROTS N CELERY N COOK FOR AN ADDTL 2 MINUTES.
ADD PEAS N POUR IN THE CHICKEN STOCK AND WATER N STIR TO COMBINE ...BRING JUST TO A BOIL N REDUCE HEAT.
ADD THYME N BAY LEAVES...STIR ....THEN ADD HAM BONE AND/OR HAM PIECES ...COVER POT N SIMMER FOR 1 1/2 HOURS.
REMOVE HAM BONE (IF USING) N BAY LEAVES . WITH AN EMERSION BLENDER ...BLEND SOUP BUT LEAVE SOME HAM CHUNKS ( THATS THE WAY WE LIKE IT) TASTE TO C IF S n P IS NEEDD. IF TIME ALLOWS LET SOUP SIT FOR A HALF HOUR TO THICKN...ENJOY :)