Split Pea Soup

I seriously LOVE soup!  All you need are a few ingredients to make an easy and filling meal.  And I love using ham hock for soups.  I've hardly had to even buy ham hocks, because I always end up going home from some large social gathering with a few ham bones.  I never understand why people throw out such a meaty bone after carving up a ham...  They add so much flavor and depth to a large pot of soup.  So the next time you find yourself with a large hock, don't throw it away!  Save it for something souper ;)

Ingredients:

• 2 c. split peas, sorted and rinsed
• 4 c. chicken broth
• 4 c. water
• 1 large and meaty ham bone -or- 1 c. bacon bits, or 1-2 cans of ham with liquid
• 2 T. dried onions
• 3/4 t. salt
• 1/4 t. pepper
• 1/4 t. thyme
• 1 t. garlic powder
• 1 t. brown sugar
• 3 carrots, sliced -or- 1 can carrots, drained
• 2 celery stalks, sliced -or- 1 t. celery seeds

Directions:

     Combine all the ingredients in a large soup pot.  Cover and bake for 3 hours at 275 degrees.  Remove from oven.  Carefully remove the bone, cut off the meat and dice; set aside.  Using a hand blender, blend soup until smooth.  Return meat to soup and stir well.  Serve warm with farmhouse cornbread and honey butter.