Ham Split Pea Soup

Ingredients:

• 2 cups dried split peas
• 8 cups ham broth
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional toppings: croutons, chopped fresh parsley, sour cream, or grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Place the dried split peas in a large bowl and cover them with water. Let the peas soak for at least 2 hours or overnight. Drain and rinse the soaked split peas before using them in the recipe.
2. Make broth (you can use carrot peels, onion rinds, herbs) with ham disc. Once boiled for about 30 min strain, keeping the clean broth and cooked meat.
3. Add the diced onion, carrots, and celery and garlic to the strained broth.
4. Clean the cooked meat, removing any fat. Dice into bite size pieces. Return to the broth. Continue to cook until all the vegetables are soft.
5. Add the soaked and rinsed split peas. Stir well to combine.
6. Bring the soup to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low. Add the bay leaves to the pot. Cover and let the soup simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the split peas are tender and starting to break down.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste