Hearty Pea Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 large onion, diced
2 Tbsp. butter
1 or 2 bay leaves
1 tsp. celery seed
1 c. green split peas
1/4 c. barley
1/2 c. dried lima beans
10 c. water
2 tsp. salt
dash of pepper
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. thyme
2 carrots, chopped
3 stalks celery, diced
1 large potato, diced
1/2 c. parsley, chopped

Preparation

Saute onions in butter until soft, along with bay leaves and celery seed.
Stir in peas, barley and lima beans.
Add water and bring to a boil.
Cook for 1 1/2 hours on low heat or until beans are tender.
Add salt, pepper, vegetables and herbs.
Turn heat down as low as possible and simmer for 30 to 45 minutes.
Makes 8 to 9 cups.