Split Pea And Ham Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. dried green split peas
5 c. chicken stock or canned broth
5 c. water
1 meaty ham bone or 2 smoked ham hocks
3 stalks celery, leaves included, diced
3 Tbsp. chopped Italian parsley
1/3 tsp. crumbled dried tarragon leaves
1/4 c. unsalted butter
1 c. diced carrots
1 c. diced onions
1 leak (white portion only), rinsed and sliced
1 c. slivered fresh spinach leaves
2 Tbsp. dry Sherry
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

Preparation

Rinse and split peas in strainer, then combine with stock and water in large soup pot. Bring to boil. Add ham bone, celery, 1 tablespoon parsley and tarragon. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer partially covered, stirring occasionally for 1 hour.