Split Pea Soup

 A healthy and scrumptious comfort food!
Ingredients:

• 1/2 lb meat (beef, pork, or chicken); or smoked bacon or brisket
• 1/2 cup uncooked yellow split peas
• 5-6 medium potatoes
• 1 small onion
• 1 carrot
• 1/2 sweet pepper
• 1-2 dry bay leaves
• Olive (or other vegetable) oil
• Salt, pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Wash and soak the peas in hot boiled water for 30 minutes.
2. Put the meat in a 3-quart (3-liter) saucepan, fill it with cold water (about 3/4 full), and bring to a boil.
3. Skim the scum continuously with a slotted spoon while it is starting to boil and continue until it comes to a full boil.
4. Add salt, pepper, bay leaves, and reduce the heat so the meat boils gently until done.
5. Take out the meat.
6. Add soaked peas and bring to a boil again, skimming the scum.
7. Peel and cut the potatoes and add to the saucepan.
8. Bring to boil again and cook until the peas and potatoes are almost ready.
9. Peel and grate the carrot, chop the onion and sweet pepper and sauté in hot olive (or other vegetable) oil in a skillet on medium heat about 5 minute or until you can smell the vegetables.
10. Put the mixture into the saucepan.
11. Simmer gently about 5 minutes.
12. Serve with a dollop of sour cream. Also, you can sprinkle each bowl with freshly chopped dill and add croutons. ENJOY!!!