Mexican Split Pea Soup - Half Cup Habit

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 large onion (chopped)
• 4 cloves garlic (minced)
• 2 tsps cumin (ground)
• 2 tsps oregano (dried)
• 1 cup split peas, green ((or yellow) dried; rinsed)
• 1 quart water
• 1 4-ounce can green chilies (chopped)
• 1 14 ½ ounce can tomatoes (whole or dried)
• 1 10-ounce box corn, kernels, frozen (or 1 15-ounce can corn, drained)
• 1 large bell pepper (green; seeded and chopped)
• salt (to taste)
• 1 cup cheddar cheese (or Monterey Jack cheese; shredded (optional))
• red pepper flakes ((optional))