Hearty Split Pea w/Ham

   BY POPULAR DEMAND

SPLIT PEA WITH HAM SOUP Just a little chopping work, but super easy

This has always been one of my more popular soups, It is a basic split pea but I like to add a little extra ooomph. I've included it all in my recipe!

           Split Pea Soup with Ham
1/2 lb. green split peas
4 cups water

1 cup ham or chicken stock
1 ham hock or meaty ham bone

1/2 lb. ham- diced
1 bay leaf

2 T. olive oil
1/3 cup chopped onion
1/3 cup chopped celery
1/3 cup chopped carrots
1/2 tsp. salt
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup white wine

Wash, sort and drain split peas. Set aside for later.

In your soup pot, warm up the olive oil then add all your veggies, saute the veggies untill your onions turn kinda clear---stir often and keep the flame low so as not to burn the garlic---

Add the wine and let simmer for 30 seconds to burn off the alcohol, then add the rest of your ingredients.

Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer covered, approximately 1 hour or until cooked through; stir occasionally.
Soup will be done when the peas are no longer crunchy,although you could simmer it until it is at the consistency you like---keep a stirrin'---
Before serving, remove ham hock or bone. Cut ham off bone; dice. Add to soup and serve  I like mine with a little sour cream!!!