Country Ham and Split Pea Soup Recipe

This split pea soup is one of American food's great cool weather recipes. Split pea soup with diced country ham, is a hearty, soul-warming bowl of delicious goodness. It's also one of the easiest soup recipes there is.

Makes 6 Servings of Country Ham and Split Pea Soup

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 2 ribs celery, diced
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 8 oz diced ham
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 lb split peas
• 1 quart chicken, or vegetable stock
• 2 1/2 cups water
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation:

Melt the butter in a soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, celery, garlic, and salt. Cook, stirring, for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables soften. Add the ham, bay leaf, split peas, stock, and water. Bring to a simmer.

Turn the heat down to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 1 1/2 hours, or until the split peas are tender, and the soup has thickened. Season with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste, and serve hot.