Quick & Easy Split Pea Soup

Originally entitled 1-2-3 Pea Soup in Jenifer Lang Cooks For Kids. This is a thick, vegetarian soup, so good that even little picky-eaters will love it. The kids have grown up and left our nest, but DH and I still enjoy this soup often!

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 6
• Yields: 5 cups

Ingredients

• 1  cup  split peas
• 1⁄4 cup long-grain rice or 1⁄4 cup brown rice
• 5  cups water
• 1  medium onion, finely chopped
• 2  carrots, diced into small pieces
• 2  celery ribs, finely chopped
• 1  teaspoon salt (don't skimp)
•  pepper
• 1  bay leaf

Directions

1. Combine peas, rice, and water in a saucepan or small stock-pot; bring to boil then reduce heat; add vegetables, salt, pepper, and bay leaf to pot.
2. Simmer for one hour; discard bay leaf and, if desired, partially mash up the soft-cooked split peas with the back a large spoon. Alternately, you may puree the soup in a blender or food-processor before serving.
3. For more flavor, you may use broth or homemade stock instead of water, or use a combination of half tomato juice and half water. You may also add 1/2 teaspoon cumin for a southwestern flavor, OR (one or the other, not both) add a bit of rubbed sage for a "smoky" note.