Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

• 2 cups dried split peas (about 1 pound)
• 2 quarts water
• 1 ham bone*
• 1 cup minced celery
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about ½ cup)
• 1 sprig parsley
• ¼ teaspoon pepper

Directions

1. Heat peas and water to boiling; boil gently 2 minutes.
2. Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour.
3. Add remaining ingredients.
4. Heat to boiling.
5. Reduce heat and simmer 2½ to 3 hours or until peas are very soft.
6. Remove bone; trim meat from bone and add to soup.
7. If desired, thin with milk or water.
8. Season to taste.

* You can substitute 1 pound ham shank or ham hocks for the ham bone.