Split Pea Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. cleaned split peas
2 qt. cold water
1 meaty ham bone (optional)
1 1/2 c. chopped onion
1/2 tsp. each: basil and pepper
1/4 tsp. each: marjoram and thyme
1 tsp. salt
1 bay leaf
1 c. each: chopped celery, carrots and potatoes

Preparation

Cover split peas with cold water.
Simmer gently 2 minutes and remove from heat.
Cover and let stand 1 hour.
Add ham bone, onion, basil, pepper, marjoram, thyme, salt and bay leaf.
Bring to a boil and simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally.
Add and cook slowly uncovered 30 to 40 minutes longer:
chopped celery, carrots and potatoes.
Remove meat from ham bone and return to soup; discard bone.