Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

This soup might not be very pretty much oh my goodness is it delicious! The bacon-ham flavor really shines in this dish, supported by the creaminess from the peas and subtle notes from the carrots and onion. I was surprised at how much I really liked it and wished that I had made a double batch! The peas provide more texture than flavor so even if you're not a huge fan of green peas, I would recommend giving this rich, warming soup a try!

With the unusual green color of the soup, it would be fun to name it Green Monster Soup or The Hulk Soup or something similar for the kiddos. 

Another part of this I loved was how easy it was to prepare! Chopping the vegetables takes the most time and then you just pop everything in the slow cooker. Easy 'peas'y. (Haha I crack myself up).

What You'll Need:

1 cup split green peas
4 slices thick cut bacon
1 cup ham, chopped
1 sweet yellow onion, coarsely chopped
1 carrot, diced
2 bay leaves
salt and freshly ground black pepper
5 cups water

shaved Parmesan for garnish 

What To Do:

Prepare bacon, cooking until maximum fat is rendered and bacon is crispy. Remove from heat and dice. In the drippings, cook peas, ham, onion, carrot and bacon pieces for about five minutes or until all of the bacon drippings have been absorbed. 

Transfer ingredients to your slow cooker, and add water, seasonings and bay leaves. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. When ready to serve, discard bay leaves and stir well. Ladle into bowls and top with shaved Parmesan!

recipe adapted from Cook Republic