Split Pea Soup (with Ham)

This split pea soup is perfect the perfect meal for cold weather and will have your taste buds swooning!

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Servings: 6 servings

Calories: 450 per serving

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup unsalted butter
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 1 cup diced carrot (¼ inch diced)
• 1 cup diced celery (¼ inch dice)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 cloves garlic , minced (¼ teaspoon garlic powder)
• 1 pound dried split peas, rinsed and sorted
• 1 meaty ham bone (if available)
• 1 large bay leaf (or 2 small)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme leaves)
• 6 cups chicken broth
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup diced ham (or 1 canned ham or large ham chunk if ham bone is unavailable)

Directions:

1. In a large pot, melt butter until foaming subsides. 
2. Add onion, carrot, celery, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. 
3. Cook until vegetables are softened and just beginning to brown, 5-8 minutes.
4. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute
5. Stir in split peas.
6. Add ham bone (if available), bay leaf, and 1 teaspoon fresh thyme. 
7. Stir in chicken broth and water. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 60-90 minutes stirring occasionally, until split peas are cooked down and soup is thickened to desired consistency. (Stir more as the soup begins to thicken and add a little additional broth or water if it gets too thick)
8. Add diced ham during the last 15 minutes of cooking. 
9. When ready to serve, remove and discard ham bone and bay leaf, and stir in remaining 1 teaspoon fresh thyme.
10. Season to taste with salt, if needed. Serve hot!