Andersen'S Split Pea Soup (Copycat) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 -3 meaty ham hocks
2 quarts water
2 cups split peas, rinsed and sorted
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/4 teaspoon ground thyme
1 pinch cayenne (I use a little more..personal taste)
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation

Add above ingredients in large pot.
Boil hard for 20 minutes then simmer until peas are tender, about another 25-20 minute.
Take ham hocks out and set aside to cool.
Strain soup through fine sieve.
Take meat off ham hocks and add back to soup. Reheat and enjoy.
Makes 8 bowls of yummy soup.