Pea and Ham Soup – with a kick!

Home-made pea and ham soup is just great on winter days.  And although it takes a while it isn't too difficult to make.  Here are the ingredients you would need:

1 bacon or ham hock

Water

Bay leaves

Chicken stock

2 onions – finely diced

Garlic finely diced

Chilli flakes to taste – I used quite a lot

A sprinkle of dried Italian herbs

Dried split peas – I used green

Salt and pepper (I didn't put this in until I had tasted it at the end – the ham hock can be salty)

Just put it all in a large pot – I use a stock pot.  Bring it to the boil and let it cook gently for 2 ½ hours or so.  Remove the bay leaves and discard.  Take out the ham hock and when it has cooled a bit remove the skin, fat and bones.  Shred the meat that is left and put it back into the soup.  Some people would blitz the soup before putting the meat back in but I thought that the little bits of onion etc just added a rustic touch.

Bring it back to a simmer.  Taste to see if it needs more salt and/or pepper.  Garnish it with freshly chopped herbs such as parsley when you are serving it.

This made quite a large quantity so I froze a few portions in plastic containers for lazy lunches at a later date!