French Canadian Split Pea Soup

This soup is quite filling and very tasty!

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

2 tbsp butter

1 onion diced

4 stocks of celery diced

3 large carrots diced

1 tsp of dried thyme

½ tsp salt

½ tsp pepper

1 ib. of yellow split peas

2 cups of diced ham

1 bay leaf

Pinch of Cayenne

10 cups of chicken stock

2 cups of water to add part way through the cooking process

Directions:

In a large stock pot add the butter over low heat.  Add the onion, celery, and carrots.  Increase the heat to medium and cook for 5 minutes.

Add the thyme, salt & pepper. Stir constantly for 30 seconds.

Add the split peas, ham, bat leaf, cayenne, and chicken stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to medium stirring occasionally. I use a battery-operated stirrer. Cook uncovered for 2 ½ hours. Add 2 cups of hot water and continue cooking for 1 additional hour or until thickened. Stir every 10 minutes or so unless you use a battery-operated stirrer. Serve.