Split Pea Soup with Ham

There's a chill in the air and that always makes me think of comfort foods, like soups. The mornings here have been quite cool , so in my search for Fall foods I have come across one of my favorite soups. Hope you like it too !!

Did I mention that this is a slow cooker recipe. Easy !!!

Ingredients:

1 pound dried split green peas , picked over and rinsed
2 russet potatoes peeled and diced
1 medium onion chopped
2 garlic cloves minced
2 ham hocks
3 vegetable bouillon cubes
8 cups water
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 small carrots diced
3 ribs celery sliced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

1. Combine peas, potatoes, onion, garlic, ham hocks, bouillon cubes, water , bay leaf and 1/4 teaspoon salt in slow cooker, stirring to break up cubes. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or low for 3 hours.

2. Remove cover and stir in carrots, celery and thyme. Cook for 2 hours more on high or 3 hours more on low or until peas and potatoes are very tender.

3. Remove ham hocks and bay leaf from slow cooker and discard Carefully puree soup in batches until smooth. Stir in black pepper and serve.