Chunky Split Pea Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 -3 cups split peas
optional
thick slice smoked ham or 2 boneless pork chops
chopped onion
2 chopped garlic cloves
1 -2 tablespoon olive oil or 1 -2 tablespoon butter
4 -6 cups water or 4 -6 cups chicken broth
2 cubed potatoes, about 1 c
2 sliced carrots, about 1 c
2 chopped celery, about 1 c
salt
pepper
herbs
seasoning, of choice (bay, red pepper flakes, curry powder or ?)
optional
sour cream (or yoghurt & dry sherry)

Preparation

Soak peas over-night, drain, and add fresh water or broth. In crockpot cook the peas with water/broth/onion/garlic/ham until peas are very soft & ham is tender, low setting is best. You may need to stir occasionally to avoid burning, especially if you use high setting.
Puree or smash about half of this mixture. Ham will fall apart.
Add veggies, salt, pepper, herbs/seasoning during the last hour.
Serve with a spoonful of sour cream/yoghurt and a drizzle of dry sherry on top if you need extra comforting.