Pea and Ham soup

It's SO cold in Melbourne! Yes, I'm constantly complaining about the cold because, as you've probably guessed, I don't like cold weather :( but I do love cold weather food! Soups, stews, bakes, bring it on!

I've always been intrigued by Pea and Ham soup but have never been brave enough to try it. The few times I have seen it served, it hasn't looked the best. But I do love peas... and ham.... and green food! My favorite milkshake as a kid? Lime! I know, I'm weird!

Anyway, here's my super easy attempt at this good ole staple soup. It's super easy but it does take a little time. Great to make on a lazy afternoon.
 

Enjoy!
 

Ingredients

20g butter
1 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, chopped

1 ham hocks (800gm approx)

400g dried green split peas

1 1/2c frozen baby green peas

How to...

- Melt butter in a large saucepan over low-medium heat.

- Add onion and garlic and sauté (don't brown) until tender, approx 10 minutes.

- Add ham hock, cover with cold water (about 2 litres), bring to the boil, then reduce heat to low and cook until ham is falling from the bone, about 1½ hours.

- Remove hocks from saucepan and set aside to cool.

- Add split green peas to stock and simmer until very tender, about 1 hour.

- Remove the skin and bone from the cooled hock and discard. Coarsely shred the meat and set aside.

- Add baby peas and simmer until bright green, 1-2 minutes.

- Purée in batches in a blender until smooth. Be careful as some of the less powerful blenders will pop their lid from the build up of steam. If in doubt use a handheld stick blender instead.

- Finally, add shredded ham to soup, season with salt and pepper and serve with crusty bread!