Enhanced Split Pea and Ham Soup

Ingredients

Salt

to taste

Black pepper

to taste

Bay leaf

1

Chicken broth

8 cups

Garlic

4 cloves, minced

Celery

2 stalks, chopped

Carrots

2, diced

Onion

1 large, chopped

Diced ham

2 cups

Ham bone

1

Split peas

1 cup, rinsed and drained

Instructions

1. Rinse the split peas under cold water and set aside.
2. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat a bit of oil over medium heat. Add the ham bone, chopped onion, diced carrots, chopped celery, and minced garlic. Sauté for 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are softened and fragrant.
3. Stir in the rinsed split peas, diced ham, chicken broth, bay leaf, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and let it simmer for about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the split peas are soft and the soup has thickened to your liking.
5. Once cooked, carefully remove the ham bone and bay leaf from the soup. If desired, shred any remaining ham from the bone and return it to the pot.
6. For a smoother texture, use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth, or leave it chunky for a heartier feel.
7. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Serve the soup hot, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.