French Canadian Split Pea Soup

Makes 6-8 servings ACTIVE TIME 1 hr TOTAL TIME4 2 hr (or 12 hours via slow cooker)

INGREDIENTS

1 pound split peas  (extend soak/cook time 2 hours for YELLOW split peas)
1 small smoked pork hock (skin removed)
3 medium carrots, diced
1 large potato, peeled and diced
3 cups chicken stock
bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon basil
1/4 teaspoon oregano
Salt/Pepper to taste

PREPARATION

Rinse green peas in a bowl, or soak yellow peas in cold water for ~12 hours. Add 4 cups water and chicken stock, smoked pork hock, carrots, potato, celery, bay leaf, thyme, basil and oregano.

For yellow peas, cover and cook on Low for 10-12 hours or on High for 6-8 hours until soup is thick and bubbling. For green peas, place on soup pot over low heat for 1.5 hours or until peas are the required consistency. Texture should be smooth and creamy.

With a slotted spoon, gently remove pork hock from soup, remove meat from bone, cut into chunks and discard and return to pot. Remove bay leaf and discard. Serve immediately and season with salt and pepper.