Split Pea Soup with Ham

1 1/2 cups dried green peas

3/4 cup chopped onion

1 cup chopped carrots

2 cloves chopped garlic

3 cups chicken or vegetable stock

3 cups water

1/4 t cayenne pepper

1/2 t salt

3/4 cup chopped lean ham

2 T olive oil

- Heat olive oil in a stock pot. 

- Add onion and garlic, sauté for 5 min. 

- Add salt and carrots and sauté an additional 5 min. 

- Stir in the rest of the ingredients and bring to a boil. 

- Cover pot and turn heat to low.  Simmer for 1 hr, 15 min. 

- Blend soup with a stick blender (emersion blender) or food processor until smooth.

- This soup freezes very well!