SLOW COOKER SPLIT PEA & HAM SOUP  (serves 3)

Ingredients :

1 onion, chopped finely

2 sticks of celery and a few celery leaves, chopped finely

2 medium carrots, peeled, halved lengthways and sliced thinly

1 medium potato, diced finely

2 rashers of back bacon, diced finely

1 tbsp of finely chopped fresh parsley

2-3 bay leaves

1 litre very hot stock of your choice (see note above)

250g dried yellow split peas

freshly ground black pepper

a large knob of butter

6 slices of ham leftover from a gammon joint, cut into fine shreds.

Method : 

1.  Place all the ingredients except the pepper and the butter into the slow cooker and stir to combine.

2.  Turn the slow cooker to High and cook for 5 hours, or Medium and cook for 6-7 hours.

3.  Half way through the cooking time, remove the lid and give the contents a stir.

4.  Add a good pinch of black pepper and stir through, then replace the lid.

5.  At the end of the cooking time, mash the contents roughly with a potato masher.  Do not use a blender, as it will turn your soup into a puree.

6.  Add the shredded ham and stir through.

7.  Remove any bay leaves you can find and add the butter.  Allow it to melt and stir it through, then taste for seasoning and add more freshly ground black pepper if necessary.

Serve, with a little of the shredded ham and some freshly ground black pepper on top for garnish and crusty bread for dipping.

From http://jennyeatwellsrhubarbginger.blogspot.co.uk