Split Pea and Bacon Soup (Dairy, Gluten and Grain Free)

The weather is cooling and soup season is upon us.  I hadn't made a pea soup in a while.  This soup was relatively easy to make and tastes good pureed smooth or left more as a stew.

Ingredients

• 3 cups dried split peas
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 5 cups water or use more broth for water
• 6 strips nitrite free bacon cut into bite size pieces
• 2 diced carrots
• 2 diced celery stalks
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 diced onion
• 2 minced garlic
• olive oil for frying

Directions

1. Heat oil in a frying pan and cook onion for 3-5 minutes until soft.  Add garlic and cook another minute.
2. In a large pot add all ingredients including the onion and garlic.  Bring to a boil and then simmer for approximately 45 minutes or until peas are soft.  Be sure to stir frequently.
3. Serve can be pureed or left as is and served.
4. Soup will thicken as it cools and you may want to add additional water.