Split Pea Soup

Directions

Serves 8

2lbs organic, dry split peas, soaked for 7 hours or overnight in water with 2 tsps baking soda*; rinsed and drained.

1lb smoked bacon chunks or ham hocks

1 large onion, chopped

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

2-3 carrots, peeled and coarsely chopped

Several sprigs fresh thyme or 2 tsp dry

4-6 cups pork broth

Salt and pepper to taste

In a Dutch oven or soup pot, brown bacon ends or ham hocks.   Add chopped onion and garlic and cook until tender.  Add split peas to the pot and cover with pork broth about a half inch (or less) above the peas.  Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered for 1 hour or until peas are quite soft.  After the peas have cooked for 30 minutes add the carrots and season with salt and pepper to taste.  If the soup is too thick after an hour, add more broth and adjust seasonings.  If you would like a creamier texture, mash with a potato masher.  Remove ham hocks or bacon chunks if desired or alternatively you can remove the bones (if ham hock was used) and chop up the meat to add back to the soup.