Split Pea Soup with Canadian Bacon

Creamy and rich. Smoky and loaded with vegetables. This soup will keep you satisfied for hours.

Ingredients

1 Tbsp olive oil, extra virgin  
3 rib(s) (medium) uncooked celery, chopped  
3 medium uncooked carrot(s), chopped  
2 medium uncooked leek(s), white and light green sections, chopped  
1 medium uncooked onion(s), chopped  
1/4 tsp table salt  
2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced  
6 oz uncooked Canadian bacon, diced  
64 oz reduced-sodium chicken broth  
1 pound(s) dry split peas, rinsed and sorted (about 2 1/4 cups)  
1 leaf/leaves bay leaf  
1 tsp rosemary, fresh, chopped  
1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground  

Instructions


In a large stock pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add celery, carrots, leeks, onion and salt; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 10 minutes.
Stir in garlic and bacon; cook, stirring frequently, 1 minute.
Add broth, peas, bay leaf, rosemary and pepper; bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until split peas are softened and soup has thickened, about 1 hour. Remove bay leaf before serving. Yields about 1 1/4 cups per serving.

Notes
If time is an issue, use a food processor to coarsely chop the vegetables. Just pulse a few times until no large pieces remain.

8 PointsPlus
Serves 6