Recipe(tried): Homemade and Hearty Split Pea Soup

Split Pea Soup
(one of my personal favorites)

2 cups split peas
2 quarts water
1 1/2 pounds smoked ham hocks, ham bone, or turkey ham
1 cup chopped celery or bok choy
1/2 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup carrots -- chopped or shredded
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon thyme
salt and pepper

Wash and sort peas; add water. Bring to boiling; simmer 2 minutes.

Remove from heat; cover and let stand 1 hour. Add ham, vegetables, bay leaf and thyme; heat to boiling.

Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 2 1/2 to 3 hours or until peas are soft.

Remove bone; cut off meat and dice. If desired, put vegetable mixture through a food mill, blender or sieve. Return meat to soup; season with salt and pepper.
Makes about two quarts.