How to Make Delicious Healthy Split Pea Soup

Yum, yum, a cold weather favorite

You’ll Need:

• 1# bag (2 cups) dry green split peas
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 medium potatoes, diced into half inch peices
• 2 med carrots, thinly sliced, or diced
• 5 cups water
• 1 c. low fat or fat free milk
• 1/4 c. HOT sauce (heres where the kick comes from)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Optional- 1/2# ham chunks or ham hocks

1. First rinse the peas well. Remove anything looking foreign (like dried up, or discolored peas.) They should be minimal.
2. Next place all ingredients in a large pan. To save time, you can chop the carrots and potatoes in a food processor. I like bigger chunks myself. Your soup will be much thicker, if the vegetables are chopped in the food processer.
3. If you choose to make a healthier, meat free version, you may want to substitute the water with a chicken or a vegetablestock.
4. Bring the pot to a boil, reduce heat to medium, cover and cook 25-40 minutes or until peas and vegetables are soft. Stir occassionally during cooking.
5. Crackers and soup are like bread and butterTop with a touch of paprika (shown on picture of soup, or crushed red pepper, if the hot sauce didn't give enough kick. Add oyster crackers, or crumble up your favorite crackers and throw them on top. Enjoy!