Split Pea Soup

By tschnet1

Ingredients

• 16 oz pkg dry green split peas
• 1 ham bone
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 cup diced carrots
• 1 cup diced celery

Preparation

Step 1

Place peas in a dutch oven; add water to cover by 2". Bring to a boil; boil for 2 minutes. remove from heat, cover and let stand for 1 hour. Drain and rinse peas, discarding liquid. Return peas to dutch oven. Add 2½ quarts water, ham bone, onion, salt, pepper, thyme and bay leaf. Bring to a boil. Reduce heaet, cover and simmer for 1½ hours, stirring occasionally. Remove ham bone; when cool enough to handle, remove meat from bone. Discard bone; dice meat and return to soup. Add carrots and celerry. Simmer, uncovered, for 45-60 minutes or until soup reaches desired thickness and vegetables are tender. Discard bay leaf.