Split Pea and Ham Soup!

We LOVE homemade Split Pea and Ham Soup!! We make it the day after we have a baked ham for dinner.  It's the best recipe to use up all the rest of your ham! This recipe has TONS and TONS of flavor! Your house smells amazing while it is cooking!!! Serve it with some crusty bread!!

SLIT PEA AND HAM SOUP!

1 pound dried split peas-ready to go peas

1 1/2 pound cooked ham-cut into small pieces

4 Tbsp unsalted butter

1 medium onion, minced

1/2 cup celery, minced

1/2 cup carrots, minced

1 Tbsp minced garlic

2 50 oz. cans chicken broth-more if needed

2 bay leaves

2 tsp thyme

1 tsp marjoram

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes- the perfect amount of heat!! :)

1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp sugar~ Or, to taste

Cut up about 1- 1 1/2 pounds cooked ham, set aside.

Rinse peas~

To the melted butter, add onion, celery, carrots, and bay leaves.  Cook on med-high for about 5 minutes, til they soften, then add the garlic and cook for about a minute or 2!

Add the chicken broth, and spices. Bring to a boil. When it is at a boil, add the split peas, and stir well! Let simmer for 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours, with the lid on, but slightly cracked, until peas are soft. Sometimes they get soft faster than other times.  Just keep cooking it until they are soft. :)

After peas are soft, add the cut up ham, and simmer until the ham is warmed through. 

All cooked up, and ready to serve!  Bring on that crusty, buttered bread!!  DIG IN!!  This is the best recipe!