Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup
ingredients
1 (16 oz./450 grams) pkg. dried green or yellow split peas, rinsed
1 meaty hambone or 2 ham (pork) hocks (or you could use 2 cups of diced ham, in a pinch)
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 ribs of celery plus leaves, chopped
1 or 2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped, or 2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
1 tsp. seasoned salt or kosher salt (or to taste)
1/2 tsp. fresh pepper
1 1/2 quarts hot water
method
Layer ingredients in slow cooker in the order given in the ingredient list. Pour in hot water. (Note: if you have a smaller slow cooker and all the water won't fit, pour in what will fit then add the rest later as it cooks and water is absorbed by the peas). Do not stir the ingredients.
Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours (for best results) or on low for 8 to 10 hours until peas are very soft and ham falls off bone. Remove bones and bay leaf. Mash peas to thicken more, if desired. Serve garnished with croutons. This soup freezes well.
Serves 8.
Adapted from an About.com recipe
http://www.fortysomething.ca/2009/02/slow_cooker_split_pea_soup.php