Split Pea Soup

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Heat the oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, carrots, and celery, and sauté for 3 to 4 minutes or until onions are clear. Add in the garlic and sauté for another minute.
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1 medium onion, 3 carrots, 3 celery stalks, 2 garlic cloves
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Add in the thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir together and cook for 2-3 minutes.
½ teaspoon dried thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ teaspoon black pepper
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In your slow cooker, add the bay leaf, optional rosemary sprig, split peas, ham bone, chicken broth, water and ingredients from your pan. Set the slow cooker to low and cook for 5 hours.
1 pound dried split peas, 1 bay leaf, 1 meaty ham bone, 4 cups chicken broth, 2 cups water, 1 fresh rosemary sprig
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Using tongs, remove the ham bone from the soup and place on a cutting board. Dice the remaining meat from the bone and discard the bone. Add the ham from the bone and the chopped ham to the slow cooker and continue to cook on low for an additional hour.
1 cup ham
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If the soup is too thick, you can add more water or broth. The soup will continue to thicken as it cooks.
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Remove the bay leaf, serve and enjoy!