Split Pea, Barley And Ham Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 medium onions, Chopped
1 teaspoon chipotle hot sauce
1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground sea salt
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 lb dried split peas, rinsed
10 cups chicken broth
1 cup milk (for richer soup) or 1 cup half-and-half (for richer soup)
1/4 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup diced carrot
2 cups cubed ham or 2 cups smoked turkey sausage

Preparation

Heat olive oil in large soup pot over medium heat.
Add onions, then add pepper, salt, pepper sauce and stir twice.
Saute over medium heat for 3 minutes.
Add rinsed split peas,barley,chopped carrots, garlic, bay leaves and saute another 2 minutes, stirring several times.
Add chicken broth and the chopped ham or smoked turkey sausage.
Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Remove from heat, remove bay leaves,add milk or half and half and stir.
Enjoy with warm, crusty bread.