Pea Soup

Submitted By: Downhome

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Difficulty: easy Prep Time: Five Minutes Total Time: 30 Minutes or Less

2 cups dried whole or split yellow peas
8 cups cold water
2 onions, chopped
1-2 stalks celery, chopped (optional)
1 carrot, chopped (optional)
1 cooked ham bone or 3-4 slices salt pork, chopped
1-2 bay leaves (optional)
salt and pepper to taste
pinch thyme (optional)

Wash peas, discarding any that are discoloured or shrivelled. Place in a soup pot, cover with cold water and let soak overnight. Next morning, add the chopped vegetables, ham bone and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer gently for 3 or 4 hours. Stir mixture occasionally and add a little boiling water to keep soup at the right consistency, but the final result should be a hearty thickness. Remove ham bone and add seasonings. Serves 6-8.