Hearty Split Pea Soup! - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 celery rib, sliiced
2 medium potatoes, diced
2 carrots, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon oregano
1/2 - 1 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf
1 2 smoked pork shanks or 2 smoked turkey wings
1 (16 ounce) package dried split peas
salt & pepper
hot sauce (optional)
1/4 cup sherry wine
1/2 - 1 cup garlic herbed croutons
1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon

Preparation

In a large pot heat oil add onions, celery, carrots, potatoes and carrot saute for 5 minutes add garlic, oregano, bay leaf, salt, pepper & ham bone stir 1 minute. Add peas and cover with enough water to completely submerge all ingredients by a couple inches.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 3-4 hours, until thickened be sure to stir throughout the cooking. The longer you cook it the thicker it gets.
Go ahead a sneak a taste.
Season with hot pepper sauce and black pepper Drizzle with sherry.
Optional I prefer-Blend all but meat in a blender to smooth out.
Garnish with croutons and bacon bits.