Leftover Ham & Split Pea Soup

I am so excited to use my new knives that I got for Christmas. It makes me feel like I could be on "Chopped" or "Top Chef." (Yeah, it's that good.)

Over the Christmas break, Husband made a ham. I'm not big ham fan, but I thought I'd better come up with something to do with all the leftovers. Here is one of the recipes that uses the ham bone and leftover meat and is pretty yummy, if I say so myself.

Leftover Ham & Split Pea Soup

Serves: 6; Prep & Cooking Time: 2 hours and 20 minutes

1 pkg (2 cups) dried split peas, rinsed
2 medium stalks of celery, sliced
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
Leftover ham bone (with a little ham still on it)
6 cups water
1 tsp salt*
1/2 tsp dried basil leaves
Pepper to taste
2 cups of leftover ham, chopped into bite-sized pieces

*I omit the salt if the ham is particularly salty.

DIRECTIONS

1. In a Dutch oven or large pot, combine and mix all ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until peas are tender and soup thickens.

2. Remove ham bone and add cut up ham pieces.

TIP

This soup can be frozen. If soup becomes too thick, just add water.

Enjoy!