Crock-pot Split Pea Soup

Is there anything better than coming home from a long day and opening the door to the aroma of something simmering joyfully and fragrantly in the crock-pot? I'd have to say no. Except when you forget that you made something in the crock-pot, and are grumbling to yourself as you make your way home about what to make for dinner, only to surprise yourself with your own forward thinking by having made something before you left in the wee hours, and now it's ready to go! Then you jump up with a little fist pump and proclaim "Yay me"!!

I'm a bit proud for doing so much soup experimenting this winter, as it used to be my least favorite thing to make on this here planet. I would gripe whenever I got stuck on soups at work, just yearning for my dough and cookie cutters, poking angrily at the Mirepoix with a scowl fixed firmly on my face. But I do love to eat soup, and it's cold here more often than not, so its only sensible and right that I got some good soup recipes under my belt.

Plus, one of my awesome co-workers had asked for some crock-pot recipes, and I am always so happy that people are actually reading this blog, let alone making requests, so I had to deliver ASAP.

Crock Pot Split Pea Soup

- 1 16 o.z. package dried green split peas

- 1 cups cubed cooked ham

-1 large onion, chopped

-1 cup julienned carrots

-2 bay leaves

-1/2 t. crushed dried rosemary

-1/2 t. thyme

-32 o.z. chicken broth ( 1 carton)

-2 cups water.

Directions: In a 5 quart slow cooker combine all ingredients, cook on low 4-5 hours until peas are soft.

Makes 6 servings.

Egads, this is so easy, tasty and cheap to make!

The rich smoky taste of the tender ham mixed with the soft earthy veggies is a textural experience like none other. Many a person finds the color of this soup disconcerting, but the flavor is amazing.

Make certain you rinse your split peas well, and sort through them with your hands with an eagle eye, because I've found rocks in them and many other dried beans, and that will end your delightful soup experience with a broken tooth and trip to the dentist. I also had to add about 1/2 cup of water to this after a day, as the peas just kept soaking it up, but it reconstituted nicely and the flavor was still really good. It can easily be made vegan by omitting the ham and swapping the chicken broth for veggie broth, and the flavor is still awesome. Enjoy!