What Was I Thinking?!?!?

Growing up, my dad would often make split pea soup.  He would make it whenever he could get his hands on a ham bone.  If we weren't at our house and we were having ham, my dad wasn't above asking the bone if he knew our host wouldn't use it (it was usually family so they didn't mind!)  The funny thing was dad is the only one who would eat it.  My mom doesn't like split pea soup and I said I didn't either.  I didn't like the way it looked.  I think it looks like a baby split it up a few times and then pooped it out a few more times.  Not appetizing at all.  So even though dad would always offer me some I always said no.  This went on for 20+ years.

Rewind to March.  When it looked like we might not get paid, we headed to the commissary to get a few things we needed.   It was surprisingly empty.  We were able to get $5 off any ham because the company didn't want them to go bad if the commissary didn't open.  We enjoyed part of the ham and I froze the rest, including the ham bone.  I didn't know of any other uses for ham bone other than split pea soup but I was determined to find another way to use it cause I didn't want to waste it.

A few weeks later while I was babysitting, the little one year old girl, E, had some split pea soup for lunch that her mom had made.  I tasted it it was was tasty.  I was surprised.  So I got the idea in my head that I should try making some.  So I did!  Let me tell you it's pretty good.  I called my dad and told him he was right.  I don't know why I didn't try this sooner...I don't know what I was thinking!

In case you're wondering, here's what I did:

1 ham bone
1 16 oz bag of green split peas

1/2 red onion, diced (I used a red onion cause that' what I had)
2 celery stalks, chopped thin
4 cans chicken broth
1/2 cup water (+ 1 cup that I added later)
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
Greek Seasoning to taste.

1.  In a large pot, add the ham bone, split peas, onion, celery, chicken broth & water.  Bring to a boil then simmer, cover for about an hour.  Check to make sure there's enough liquid so you don't burn the bottom (I almost did!)  Add more water if it's too thick.

2.  Take the ham bone out and let it cool.  When you can handle it, take the meat off the bone and add it back to the soup.  I cut up some of pieces so they were bite size.

3.  Add carrots and cook until tender.

4.  Enjoy!

I was amazed at how good this is!  This also helps me on my 101 list...I wanted to make 3 new soups.  This is one!

Do you like split pea soup?