Yellow Split Pea Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb yellow split peas (picked over)
1 quart chicken broth
1 quart cold water
1 large smoked ham bone (make certain that the bone has meat on it)
5 medium onions, finely chopped
1 medium leek, chopped and rinsed (use only white and pale green parts only)
3 -4 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives
salt and black pepper
whipping cream (optional)

Preparation

Rinse the peas under cold water very well. Pick out any discoloured peas and discard.
Fill a large pot with water and chicken broth.
Add in the ham bone or salt pork and half of the onions; bring to a boil (skim off any froth or scume that gathers on top) simmer partially covered until the peas are tender but not falling apart (about 1 - 1-1/2 hours).
Cook the leeks and the remaining onions in butter in a large skillet over medium heat, stirring until softened (about 10 minutes).
Add to the soup with the chives, salt and pepper; continue to simmer (partially covered) until the peas are falling apart and the soup is thickened (about 1 - 1-1/2 hours).
Remove the ham bone, then shred any meat on the bone and return the meat to the pot.
Ladle hot soup into bowls and drizzle a small amount of whipping cream on top of the soup if desired.