'On the Mark' Split Pea Soup

Heat cooking pot with olive oil (med). Chopped onion, celery, and carrots and add to cooking pot.

Saute veggies for 10 mins, add stock/broth, bay leaf, and ham hock.

Bring broth to boil, then simmer on med low for 60 mins or until lentils are soft.

When lentils are soft, remove bay leaf(s). Remove ham hocks and set aside to cool.

Pour cooking pot contents into a drainer to allow the liquid to separate from the lentil and veggies.

Put lentils and veggies into a food processor until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. If soup is too thick, add some of the drained out liquid. Chop ham and add to soup.