Split Pea Soup with Ham

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried split peas, rinsed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1 smoked ham hock or 1.5 cups diced cooked ham
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• salt and pepper to taste

Method

1. 1

   Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Sauté onion, carrots, and celery 5-6 minutes until softened.

2. 2

   Add split peas, ham hock or diced ham, broth, and bay leaf, bring to a boil.

3. 3

   Reduce heat and simmer 45-50 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peas have completely broken down — this natural starch is what thickens the soup, no flour or cream needed.

4. 4

   If using a ham hock, remove it, shred the meat, discard bone and fat, and stir the meat back in.

5. 5

   Remove bay leaf and season with salt and pepper before serving.