Pea and Ham Soup

Yesterday I went grocery shopping and at the deli counter at woolies they had ham bones. The marketing department must have decided it is soup weather, as on the same counter they had bags of yellow split peas. And since one of the ham bones was a very meaty one and looked pretty good, I figured I would play the game. So into the trolley went one meaty ham bone ($4.15) and one packet of split peas. So this is what I did with it:

Pea and Ham Soup
1 ham bone (not hocks try for a meaty leg bone)
1 500g packet yellow split peas
2 onions chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 sachet bouquet garni (like a tea bag)
good pinch whole peppercorns
12 cups water

Pop all of this into a large pot and bring to the boil, then turn down and simmer for 2 hours, stirring from time to time, especially as it thickens up towards the end. Just to stop it sticking. Pick out all the meat and bones with some tongs, then use a stick blender to mush it all up till smooth (or a food processor or a regular blender, or just leave it the way it is, it is fine unblended as well). Pick the bones, skin and fat out and toss. Shred the meat (and I had lots from my bone!) and put back into the soup. If you start this about 3pm by the time your starving husband gets home from work it is nice and ready. He will nominate you for sainthood. It is that good. This stuff freezes well, but is best fresh I think.