Split Pea and Barley Soup (or Split Pea & Potato)

Split Pea and Barley Soup (or Split Pea & Potato): Submitted by: Vickie | Date Added: 17 Nov 2015 Ingredients:

1 -lb dried split peas, soaked & then drained overnight ( you can use either yellow or green split peas; you can also use chicken broth to soak your beans with)
2 T oil
1 lg ham hock
1 rib celery, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
3/4 c pearl barley, rinsed & drained (or 2-3 peeled & chopped potatoes)
2 T chicken bouillon
1 t garlic powder
1/4 t cayenne
s & p to taste

1-2 T fresh marjoram
Eckridge fully-cooked Polish sausage or Kielbasa, sliced

Cooking Instructions:

Saute onion, celery & carrots in oil. Place in crock pot with barley, bouillon, garlic, cayenne & peas. Add water (or chicken stock) to 3 inches above the veggies. Cover & cook on low 10-12 hours. Add sausage & marjoram during the last hour. Adjust seasoning as needed.

(Cook's note: I don't always use barley, and instead, use peeled & chopped potatoes to replace the barley. Either barley or potato act as a thickeners. I also prefer to use yellow split peas. Tastes the same, but believe it or not, some people don't like pea soup because of the green color!)