Dad's Favorite Split Pea Soup

by Dad

I always make this in a slow cooker but the recipe wasn't originally set up that way.  Works good either way.

2 1/4 cups dry green split peas (1 pound).

8 cups cold water

2 chicken bouillon cubes

1 meaty ham bone

1 medium onion - chopped

1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/4 teaspoon dried crushed marjoram

2 medium carrots (or more) chopped

2 stalks celery (or more) chopped.

Rinse the split peas.  In a large pot or slow cooker combine peas, water, bouillon cubes, onion, ham bone, pepper and marjoram.

In a pot:  Bring to a boil, reduce heat.  Cover; simmer for 1 hour.  Stir occasionally.  Remove ham bone;  when cool enough to handle, cut off meat and coarsely chop.  Discard bone.  Return meat to soup.  Stir in carrots and celery.  Cover; simmer 30-60 minutes more

Slow Cooker:  Put first seven ingredients in slow cooker.  Cook on low 8 hours or on high 4.  After 5 or 6 hours on low or 3 hours on high, remove bone, chop meat and return, adding carrots and celery.  Cook until vegetables are done and the peas have mostly dissolved.