Hearty Pea Soup

Ingredients

Olive oil

2 tablespoons

Salt

to taste

Black pepper

to taste

Fresh thyme

1 teaspoon, chopped (or 1/2 teaspoon dried)

Bay leaf

1

Chicken broth

4 cups

Garlic

2 cloves, minced

Celery

2 stalks, diced

Carrot

1 large, diced

Onion

1 medium, diced

Ham

1 cup, diced (smoked or leftover ham works well)

Green peas

4 cups (fresh or frozen)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. Add the diced onion, carrot, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the diced ham and cook for an additional 2 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
4. Add the green peas, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil.
5. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the soup simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
6. Remove the bay leaf and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. If you prefer a chunkier texture, blend only half of the soup.
7. Return the soup to the pot and heat over low heat until warmed through.
8. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.
9. Serve hot, garnished with a drizzle of olive oil and fresh thyme, if desired.