Tempting Pea Soup

• 2 cups Dried Peas
• 1 quart Chicken Broth
• 2 cups Cold Water
• 2 stalks Celery, Chopped (including Tops)
• 1 whole Medium Onion, Chopped
• 2 whole Large Carrots, Chopped
• 1 whole Ham Hock (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoons Dried Thyme
• 1/2 teaspoons Dried Marjoram
• 1 whole Bay Leaf
• 1 dash Cayenne
• Salt And Pepper, to taste
• Fresh Peas, To Serve

1. Put everything (except fresh peas) into a large stock pot and bring to a boil. Cover and cook slowly on medium heat until all vegetables are soft, at least 1 hour.
2. If you're vegan, you can omit the ham hock and use water instead of broth or use veggie broth.
3. Remove ham hock and bay leaf then use an immersion blender to puree. You could also do this in batches in a blender. I like to leave it a little chunky.
4. It should be thick and creamy when you're done.
5. Add fresh peas to soup just to heat through. Don't overcook them!
6. Ladle into a warm bowl, season with extra black pepper if you like and enjoy!

chicken broth, water, stalks celery, onion, carrots, ham, thyme, dried marjoram, bay leaf, cayenne, salt, fresh peas

Taken from tastykitchen.com/recipes/soups/tempting-pea-soup/ (may not work)