French Canadian Split Pea Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. bag dry green split peas
1 ham bone or large slice ham
1 c. chopped onion
1 tsp. instant chicken bouillon granules or 2 cubes bouillon
1 c. sliced or shredded carrots
1 c. chopped celery
2 slices bacon
1/2 c. light cream
2 Tbsp. butter

Preparation

Combine peas, ham, onion, bouillon, 8 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper in kettle.
Bring to a boil.
Cover, reduce heat and simmer 1 1/2 hours, stirring often.
If using ham bone, remove meat, dice and return to kettle along with the carrots and celery.
Simmer 30 minutes.
Cook bacon until crisp, drain and crumble (I use the microwave).
Stir in the bacon, cream and butter to the soup and heat through.