Split Pea Soup With Ham

• lb good quality bacon, diced↗1⁄2
• tablespoons olive oil↗2
• cups diced yellow onions3
• diced carrots4
• tablespoons chopped garlic2
• teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes↗1⁄2
• bay leaf↗1
• lb dried split peas, picked over and rinsed↗1
• ham steak, cut into 1/2 inch squares1
• (14 ounce) cans low sodium chicken broth↗3
• cup water↗1
• cup half-and-half↗1
• frank's hot sauce↗

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Fry the bacon in your soup pot and reserve for garnish.

2. 2

   Add the olive oil to the rendered bacon fat.

3. 3

   Add chopped onions and carrots. Cook & stir for 10-15 minutes.

4. 4

   Push to one side of the pot to make a hot spot.

5. 5

   Drop the red pepper flakes and garlic into the spot.

6. 6

   Cook the garlic/pepper a minute in that spot.until golden.

7. 7

   Add the bay leaf, split peas, ham, broth, water and bring to a boil.

8. 8

   Cover the soup and let it simmer for 60 minutes.

9. 9

   Remove the bay leaf and add the half and half.

10. 10

    The peas, onions and carrots should cooked enough to make the soup thick and vegetables indistinct, if not - use a hand blender -- but you'll lose the lovely ham cubes if you're too vigorous.

11. 11

    Serve with reserved bacon and hot sauce dribbled on top.