After the Christmas gathering we had a ton of leftover Ham and the ham bone which I had always heard made amazing soup. Split Pea kept coming to mind, but I had only ever had good Split Pea soup once so I was a bit hesitant to try it. Boy am I glad I did! It was so good and I can not wait to make it again! YUMMY!!  It was creamy and just was delish!!

1 large onion. diced

2 stalks celery, diced

2 carrots, diced

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 red potatoes, cubed

olive oil

1 t thyme

1 t salt

1 t pepper

16 oz bag split peas, rinsed and picked

32 oz chicken broth

Add a swirl of olive oil to your heavy pan, I use a coated cast iron pot, toss in onion, carrot  and celery allow to soften apx 10-12 min; add garlic,spices, potatoes and split peas allow to get a nice coating of the olive oil and seasonings. Add ham bone and broth. Simmer apx 1.5 hours. Remove ham bone. Iprefer a smoother pea soup so I used the immersion blender and blended soup.

Serve with a dollop of sour cream, Greek yogurt or a swirl of cream or half and half. For a even richer more velvety soup at 1/2 to 1 cup half and half or go for the gusto and use full fat cream!

It is awesome. Perfect on a winter day. Perfect with a grilled Sammy, fresh salad or ohhh a slice of tomato quiche!

xoxo, Mama Bird