Creamy Pea Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (16 oz.) pkg. split peas
1 (8 oz.) pkg. sliced bacon, cut up
2 celery stalks, diced
1 large onion, diced
8 c. water
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 c. half and half

Preparation

Rinse peas and set aside.
In 6-quart pan, brown bacon. Remove bacon and drain on paper towel.
In bacon fat, brown onion and celery, about 15 minutes.
Add peas, water, potatoes, salt and pepper.
Heat to boiling.
Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 45 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook uncovered if you like a thicker soup.
Stir in half and half.
Heat until hot.
Sprinkle bacon on top.