Kermit's Comfort: The Best Split Pea Soup Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil (30 ml)
• 1 large onion, diced (approx. 1 ½ cups / 175g)
• 2 carrots, diced (approx. 1 cup / 125g)
• 2 celery stalks, diced (approx. 1 cup / 100g)
• 2 cloves garlic, minced (approx. 2 teaspoons / 10g)
• 8 cups chicken broth (1.9 liters)
• 1 pound (450g) dried green split peas, rinsed
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme (5 ml)
• 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika (2.5 ml)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 smoked ham hock (approx. 1 lb / 450g) or 1 cup diced cooked ham (approx. 150g)
• Fresh parsley, chopped
• Croutons