Split Pea and Bacon Soup

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 ounces smoked back bacon, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 stalk celery, chopped
• 12 cup split peas
• 5 cups chicken stock
• 2 slices firm bread, buttered and crusts removed
• 2 slices streaky bacon
• salt and pepper

1. Heat the butter in a saucepan and cook the back bacon until the fat runs.
2. Stir in the onion, carrot and celery and cook for 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the split peas and then the stock.
4. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then cover with a tight fitting lid and simmer for 45-60 minutes.
5. Meanwhile preheat the oven to 350*.
6. Bake the bread for about 20 minutes, until crisp and brown, and then cut into a dice.
7. Grill the streaky bacon until very crisp, then chop finely.
8. When the soup is ready, season to taste and serve hot with the chopped bacon and croutons.

butter, back bacon, onion, carrot, celery, peas, chicken stock, bread, bacon, salt

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/split-pea-and-bacon-soup-249760 (may not work)