Homemade Recipes

Ingredients:

2 qt water

2 cups split peas (a 14-16 oz. bag)

1 branch of celery, chopped

1 large carrot, chopped

1 small onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

1/4 tsp thyme, ground

1 pinch cayenne pepper

bay leaf

1 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients in a large pot and boil hard for 20 minutes, then slowly until peas are tender. (The 50-minute cooking time is approximate. After the 20 minutes of "hard boil," I reduce the heat to a simmer and cook until the peas mash easily.)

2. Strain through a fine sieve. (I use my food processor. Don't forget to remove the bay leaf!)

3. Reheat to the boiling point.

4. Ladle the soup into bowls and sprinkle it with a bit of paprika or Parmesan and a few croutons.