Split Pea, Barley And Ham Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 1 teaspoon chipotle hot sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh coarse ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground sea salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 lb dried split peas, rinsed
• 10 cups chicken broth
• 1 cup milk (for richer soup) or 1 cup half-and-half (for richer soup)
• 1/4 cup pearl barley
• 1/2 cup diced carrot
• 2 cups cubed ham or 2 cups smoked turkey sausage

Recipe

• 1 heat olive oil in large soup pot over medium heat.
• 2 add onions, then add pepper, salt, pepper sauce and stir twice.
• 3 saute over medium heat for 3 minutes.
• 4 add rinsed split peas,barley,chopped carrots, garlic, bay leaves and saute another 2 minutes, stirring several times.
• 5 add chicken broth and the chopped ham or smoked turkey sausage.
• 6 bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• 7 remove from heat, remove bay leaves,add milk or half and half and stir.
• 8 enjoy with warm, crusty bread.