Split Pea Soup

• 1 bag, 16oz. dried split peas
• 8 cups hot water or 8 cups chicken broth (I use about 6 cups broth, and then after it all has cooked, I add milk or 1/2 and 1/2 for the other 2 cups and then blend with a immersion blender)
• 1 – 2 lbs. ham, cut into cubes (you can get this from the deli counter or just buy a piece of ham
• 1 cup each: chopped onion, chopped celery, chopped carrots
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 Tbs. lemon juice (optional, I do not use because I add the milk/1/2 and 1/2 and this won’t go with lemon juice)

Rinse and sort split peas.  In a large pot, saute the onion in a bit of olive oil for about 5 min.  Then, combine the peas, water/broth, and ham.  Bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to simmer and cover the pot; simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Add the carrots and celery, bay leaf, and lemon juice and simmer for about 30 minutes more until tender or until desired tenderness is reached. Once everything is tender, take off the heat.  Use either an immersion blender, right into the mix in the pan, or take out 2 cups at a time and blend in a blender.  Once all is blended, add salt and pepper to taste.