Cooking by Connie

What to do with all those leftovers from the Holidays that are in your freezer or refrigerator?
Let's work on that.....What can I make? Now that the holidays are over, my refrigerator or freezer is stuffed full with leftovers. I have two ham bones from parties, veggies of all kinds from appetizer trays, different cheeses, fruit, and much more.

Now that the weather is cooker, cold in some parts of the county, my thoughts turn to SOUPS. There are some many different types of soups, I could write a book about them. (That is going to be my next cookbook--about soup making) But for now, lets try to get rid of the ham bone with something quick and easy and get rid of some of the veggies.

How about a split pea soup with ham bone and veggie? Let's get started.

Split Pea Soup

1 pound green split peas (in a bag)
2 Tablespoons oil
10 cups of chicken broth or other vegetable meat broth
2-3 small white onions, chopped
3 carrots diced
1 cup celery, chopped
Optional: left over veggies that are in the refrigerator (Some suggestions could be Lima beans, peas,green beans, asparagus, zucchini, carrots, or other)
Bay leaf
Parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
Ham bone with pieces of ham chopped

Wash and drain peas
Put oil in a large soup pot and saute onions, carrots, celery
Simmer for about 5 minutes until onions are transparent.
This is the time to use some of those left over veggies. Chop or cut and add
Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
Lower heat and simmer for 2 hours.
If you like a smooth puree peas soup, but in the food processor, or just leave it as it is-chunky. I prefer it chunky.
Serve with crusty bread or croutons
Serves 6-8

Next time I put something new on the website, I will discuss what to do with cheese leftovers.