Split Pea Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 c. dry split peas
7 c. water
1 bay leaf
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. dry mustard
2 c. minced onion
5 garlic cloves, crushed
3 stalks celery, minced
2 medium carrots, sliced
1 small potato, sliced
fresh ground pepper

Preparation

Place split peas, water, bay leaf, salt and dry mustard in a kettle.
Bring to a boil, lower heat as much as possible and simmer partially covered for 20 minutes.
Add rest of ingredients, except pepper and leave it to simmer gently for 40 minutes with occasional stirring.
If necessary, add some water.
Before serving, add a generous amount of pepper.
This is a delicious fat free soup.