Hearty Split Pea Soup!

The onions, carrots, celery, potatoes and garlic are sauteed first to enliven the sugars in them. This comfort soup gets a wonderful smokey flavor from your choice of ham bone or shank or smoked turkey wings. It's swirled with sherry. Topped with bacon bits and croutons.

• Ready In: 3 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  onion, diced
• 1  celery rib, sliiced
• 2  medium potatoes, diced
• 2  carrots, diced
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  teaspoon oregano
• 1⁄2-1  teaspoon pepper
• 1  bay leaf
• 1  meaty ham bone or 2  smoked pork shanks or 2  smoked  turkey wings
• 1 (16 ounce) package  dried split peas
•  salt & pepper
•  hot sauce (optional)
• 1⁄4 cup sherry wine
• 1⁄2-1  cup  garlic herbed croutons
• 1⁄4 cup  crumbled  cooked bacon

Directions

1. In a large pot heat oil add onions, celery, carrots, potatoes and carrot saute for 5 minutes add garlic, oregano, bay leaf, salt, pepper & ham bone stir 1 minute. Add peas and cover with enough water to completely submerge all ingredients by a couple inches.
2. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 3-4 hours, until thickened be sure to stir throughout the cooking. The longer you cook it the thicker it gets.
3. Go ahead a sneak a taste.
4. Season with hot pepper sauce and black pepper Drizzle with sherry.
5. Optional I prefer-Blend all but meat in a blender to smooth out.
6. Garnish with croutons and bacon bits.