Split Pea and Ham Bone Soup- Yumbo!

With Easter almost a week behind us, perhaps I am a little late to post this.. but then again, maybe you are just finally getting through to your beautiful ham bone.  I just love a good ham bone.  So much potential!

Today I am going to share one of my favourite ham bone recipes, Split Pea and Ham Bone Soup.  I love it because not only is it easy, but it's delicious.  I'm not sure how pea soup got such a bad rap, but I'm blaming the same wierdos who set out to also shame brussel sprouts, spinach and liver (also some of my favourites, btw!!).  Pea soup is also lovely on a cold day and a great way to use up vegetable stragglers from your crisper box.  

Now, some recipes call for heavy cream or sugars.  I prefer to make mine as follows, so that you are getting a good meal that you can have seconds of, without feeling guilty.

Split Pea and Ham Bone Soup

In a slow cooker/ crock pot, add:

One beautiful ham bone, with some meat still stuck on it, if you'd like!

Cover that bone with water and set to high and simmer it for awhile.  Perhaps a couple of hours. 

Once you can see ham wonderfulness in the water, add:

One bag of split peas or about two cups.  Make sure there are about 8 cups of water for your peas in the crock pot.  Also, it's always a good idea to check them over before you allow them to enter the wonderful ham broth that awaits them in said crock pot.

Now, add some chopped carrot, some chopped celery, some finely diced onion, some garlic (depending on how much you like garlic), a couple bay leaves, some salt and pepper, a touch of sage and thyme.  These last ingredients can be added again at the end when you taste, to adjust your soup to perfection.

Let all these things cook long and slow, on low, for about 4 hours.  When its done cooking, you have a few options: You can puree it (after removing the ham bone) in a blender, for the classic pea soup look, or you can leave it as a broth.  Keep in mind if you do leave it as a broth, that your peas will be settled on the bottom, so be sure to scoop those when serving it up.  Also, if you do choose to use a blender, keep in mind that it is not advisable to ever blend hot liquids... although I do, in small quantities, with a tight lid.  I do love the consistency it gives the soup.  If you want it a little thinner, just add a touch more warm water, or broth if you have some on hand.  If you want to add some sweetness, try maple syrup- awesomeness!

Hope you enjoy!  Would love to hear feedback if you have any comments, questions or ideas!