HERBED SPLIT PEA SOUP

Ingredients

• 2 cups split peas, rinsed and drained
• 8 cups chicken broth or water
• 1 meaty ham bone*
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 cups diced potatoes
• 1 cup chopped carrots
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1/2 tsp rosemary, crumbled
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 tsp savory, crumbled
• 1/4 tsp thyme, crumbled
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 bay leaf*

Directions

1. Combine all ingredients in a Dutch oven and bring to a boil; skim off foam.
2. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
3. Remove bay leaf and ham bone. Remove meat from bone and chop; set aside.
4. Purée soup in batches in a blender. Return soup to Dutch oven and stir in ham. Heat to serving temperature. May be frozen for up to 1 month.