Split Pea Soup With Ham

• 3 center-cut bacon slices
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup matchstick-cut carrots
• 1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
• 8 cups water
• 1/2 pound green split peas
• 1/2 pound diced ham
• 1 (0.2-ounce) package ham-flavored bouillon (such as Goya)
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1. Cook bacon in a large saucepan over medium heat until crisp. Remove from pan; crumble. Add onion and next 3 ingredients to pan; cook 7 minutes or until tender. Add water and next 4 ingredients. Bring to a boil; cover, reduce heat, and simmer 1 hour or until peas are very tender.
2. Place half of soup in a blender; process until smooth. Repeat procedure with remaining soup. Ladle soup into individual bowls; sprinkle evenly with bacon.

center, onion, celery, matchstick, garlic, water, peas, ham, bouillon, freshly ground black pepper

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/split-pea-soup-with-ham (may not work)