Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

• 7 cups water
• 3 cups split peas, picked over and rinsed
• 1 lb ham steak, rind discarded, quartered
• 1 smoked ham hock
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 onions, chopped
• 1 celery, chopped
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 6 garlic, minced
• 3/4 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 teaspoon pepper
• 3/4 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes

1. Combine water, peas, ham steak, ham hock, and bay leaves in slow cooker. Microwave onions, celery, carrots, butter and spices until onions are soft, about 5 minutes. Transfer to slow cooker. Cover and cook until peas are tender, 8 - 9 hours on low or 5 - 6 hours on high.
2. Cut meat from bone and ham steak into bite size pieces. Puree soup to nice consistency.

water, split peas, ham steak, hock, bay leaves, onions, celery, carrots, unsalted butter, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, red pepper

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/slow-cooker-split-pea-soup-533747 (may not work)