Split Pea Soup

Ingredients:

• 8 cups cold water


• 1 small ham hock (I usually use precooked ham)


• 1 lb split green peas (about 2 cups)


• 1 large carrot, peeled and diced


• 1 large celery stalk, diced


• 1 medium onion, diced


• 2 cloves garlic, minced


• small bunch parsley


• 1 tsp dried thyme


• 1 bay leaf


• ground black pepper


• croutons

Combine water, ham and split green peas in a pot. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 1 hour. Stir in carrot, celery, onion, garlic, parsley, thyme and bay leaf. Simmer until ham hock and peas are tender, about 1 hour more. Season with lots of ground black pepper to taste. Remove the ham hock. Discard bone, skin and fat. Dice meat and return to soup. For a thicker soup, simmer to desired consistency. Garnish with croutons.