Crock Pot Pea Soup

DH love this because of the garlic. I love it because I love my Crock Pot. I adapted this one from Southern Food.about.com. I use a six quart Crock Pot with a liner and I mince and chop and slice all the veggies with my food processor.

• Ready In: 4 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 6-8

Ingredients

• 1 (16 ounce) package  dried split peas, rinsed
• 1 -2  cup  of diced ham, I buy the pre-packaged diced ham and just use what I have on hand
• 4  carrots, peeled and sliced
• 1  onion, chopped
• 4  celery ribs, chopped
• 4  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  bay leaf
• 1  tablespoon dried parsley flakes
• 1  tablespoon  salt free all purpose  seasoning
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 1  quart low sodium chicken broth
• 2  cups water (use less if you want a thicker soup)

Directions

1. Put the ingredients into the Crock Pot layered in the order given above.
2. Add the broth.
3. Add the water.
4. Cover and cook on HIGH 4 to 5 hours OR LOW for 8 to 10 hours until the peas are really soft.
5. Take the Bay leaf out
6. Mash peas to thicken.
7. Enjoy - we love this with Corn Bread.