Split pea and smoked ham soup

It’s finally Fall weather around these parts which in our home means SOUP, SOUP and MORE SOUP!  

There are lots of variations of traditional pea soup – I like using a smoke ham because it adds an extra touch of flavor.  

Please PLEASE don’t add salt until after you have tasted the finished product.  Usually your ham will already have enough salt that you won’t need any extra!  I only add fresh ground pepper to mine at the end.

Also, sift through the split peas you buy and look for tiny rocks (that can often be found) and remove before adding to the soup.

WHAT YOU NEED:

2 tbsp unsalted butter 

1/2 white onion, diced

2 celery ribs, diced

3 cloves garlic, diced

1 pound of smoked ham, diced

1 bay leaf

1 pound dried split peas

1 quart chicken broth

2 & 1/2 cups water (you can always add more at the end if it seems to thick)

WHAT YOU DO:

Using a large soup pot, melt the butter

Add onion, celery and garlic and stir until onions are translucent, about 5 min

Add ham, bay leaf and split peas

Add chicken broth and water

Stir all together and let simmer 1 – 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until peas have split open and become mushy.

REMOVE bay leaf!!!

Top with fresh ground pepper

Enjoy!

XoXo