Hearty Split Pea, Bean And Barley Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

4 quarts water
1 meaty ham bone
2 cups dried split peas
1/2 cup pearl barley
1/2 cup dried black-eyed peas
1/2 cup dried navy beans
2 -4 beef bouillon cubes
1 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup sliced celery
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon crushed celery seed
3 bay leaves
salt and pepper

Preparation

Combine all ingredients in slow cooker. Cover and cook on low 6-8 hours. Remove ham bone and cut meat into bite sized pieces.
Return to soup, discarding bone. Discard bay leaves.