Old Fashioned Pea Soup

Yield: 8 Servings

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups split green peas

5-1/4 cups water

1 cup chopped onion

1-1/2 cups chopped vegetables (combination of celery and carrot)

2 clove garlic, crushed

1 bay leaf

salt and pepper

4 cups chicken broth

1 # potatoes, peeled and cubed (optional)

a few hot dogs or kielbasa (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

In a 3-1/2 quart pot, combine peas and water; bring to boil, reduce heat, simmer, covered 45 minutes. Add more water if necessary.

Add rest of ingredients (except potatoes, hot dogs/kielbasa), simmer, covered 1 hour. Add potatoes and simmer another 1/2 hour.

Add cut up hot dogs/kielbasa, if desired. Season to taste with salt and pepper.