Quebec Pea Soup

I enjoy receiving unexpected e-mails from readers of this blog with things like treasured recipes inside. Here's a good one for a chilly December, compliments of Brody. (Thanks Brody!)

Here is my Mum's recipe for Habitat Quebec Soup that is perfect for a chilly day and for this holiday season.

Habitant Pea Soup (Quebec Pea Soup)

Ingredients:
10cups: water
2 Bay leaves
2 cups: split peas -- yellow
1 Onion -- finely chopped
2 Carrots -- grated
2 cups: ham -- diced smoked
1 cup: celery with leaves -- finely- chopped
Salt and pepper to taste

1. Heat water and peas in a large saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil for 2 minutes, remove from heat, cover, and set aside for 1 hour.
2. Add salt pork or smoked ham, ham hock, bay leaves, onion, carrots, and celery to pea mixture and bring to boil over high heat.

Reduce and simmer, cover and cook for about 1-1/2 hours until peas are tender, stirring frequently. If necessary, skim off fat. If using salt pork, remove from soup, cut into small pieces, and return to soup. Remove ham hock and discard.
Add salt and pepper to taste. Yield: 10 servings