Lickety Split

Pea soup, that is.  Split pea soup with ham that will have you licking your chops.  My family loves this meal and so do I.  Perfect after a pork filled Easter weekend with lots of leftover ham.  If the idea for this meal falls on a weekend, the Orange Pot reports for duty.  During the week, the crock pot.  I can't stress enough how easy, how yummy and how healthy this meal is.  I will give you instructions for making this stove top, because the crock pot is a "no brainer" (just dump it all in and let it cook on high for 8 hours).  In a large pot add 1 pound dry split peas to 2 quarts of water and bring to a boil.  Turn off and let soak, covered for an hour.  After an hour add your ham bone, extra ham, 1 cup chopped onion, 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme, a few turns of fresh cracked pepper and some kosher salt.  Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours, stirring occasionally.  Remove the meat from the bone, dice the meat and return it to the soup, along with 1 cup chopped celery and 1 cup chopped carrot.  Simmer slowly for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Now, this does take a little time, but it is very easy.  Like I said, if you want to fix it and forget it, use the crock pot-it's just as delicious, minus the monkeying around.  Scott loves this meal and all three of the kids lap it up.  The creaminess of the split peas, the smokiness of the ham and the sweetness of the carrots, compliment each other so nicely.  So use up that leftover ham, turn it into something magical, wow your family, invite your friends-make a hearty pot of split pea soup, tonight.  And if you have a family that turns up their noses at anything "green"-well they simply just need to get over that, give them all blindfolds.  If they can't get over it-their loss, more for you :)