Pea Soup With Ham

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 cups yellow onions, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon garlic, chopped
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 lb split peas, picked over and rinsed
• 8 cups fat-free low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 cup milk
• 1 lb ham steak, cut into 1 inch pieces
• hot sauce (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in a large soup pot over medium-high heat, heat the oil.
• 2 add the onions.
• 3 season with salt, pepper, crushed red pepper.
• 4 saute for 2 minutes.
• 5 add the garlic, bay leaf, and split peas and cook, stirring for 1 minute.
• 6 add the broth and ham.
• 7 bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium, and simmer stirring occasionally, for 1 hour or more, until the peas are tender.
• 8 remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
• 9 remove the bay leaf and discard.
• 10 add the milk and, using a hand-held blender or potato masher, process until smooth.
• 11 add the hot sauce if desired and serve hot.