Hearty Split Pea Soup

The first time I made this, my hubby ate 5, yes, *5* bowls of it! 



In the making.....



The finished product:






Hearty Split-Pea Soup

1 - 1 lb bag of dry split peas (soaked in cold water overnight.)
3 Tb butter
4 slices of bacon, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 lb bulk pork sausage, uncooked
1 medium onion, chopped
3 carrots, grated
4 stalks of celery (with tops) chopped
2 quarts chicken broth (I used some well-seasoned seasoned broth left over from cooking chicken the day before)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
a few pinches of salt
several "grinds" of fresh black pepper

1. In a large pot/dutch oven, melt butter over medium heat.
2. Add bacon, and cook until browned.
3. Add onion, carrots, celery and sausage. Cook about 2 minutes, breaking up sausage.
4. Add broth, peas (drained) and seasoning, stir.
5. Bring up to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for about 2 hours on low heat, covered and with lid slightly ajar.
6. Give it a final stir, and enjoy!

We ate this with some fresh home-made bread.