ARTIFICIAL HAM FLAVOR

There is no need to adjust your set. Yes, you have read artificial ham flavor. It even sounds disgusting. Let's start from the beginning. We cooked a beautiful bone-in ham for New Years day. It was from the 'Meat Star' Dittmer from Dittmers Wurst Haus. It was scrumdiddlyumptious . Today we have a wonderful bone to make split pea soup. This is one of my favorite soups. Ms. Goofy is not partial to this green pea concoction, so I will enjoy it all week. I asked her to pick up a pound of dried split peas from our local Wally-Mart. She brought back this package of Hampeas. When did split pea get the name make over? After a brief observation of these fancy new dried legumes we noticed that this package came with a ham flavor packet. In fact, right in front, in plain English, it claims ARTIFICIAL ham flavor. Yuck!!! Luckily it came in a sealed package and I was able to remove it from the peas.

The split peas soup is delicious. It is flavored with the most flavorful "Real Deal" ham bone. It will go perfect with a ham sandwich and a visit to the couch to watch more football.

SPLIT PEA SOUP

The last couple of days, there has not been a single green leaf, or any vegetable matter consumed in the Chilebrown house. It has been a pork lovers paradise. Nueske Ham & Bacon, Fatted Calf Porterhouse steaks, potatoes, raviolis and a whole lot of cookies and sweets. There was an olive in the martini, but that does not count. (does it?) With the Ham comes a beautiful bone. It is like an added bonus. With a Ham bone comes split pea soup. This is a very easy soup to make. It also has vegetables to offset some of our over indulgence. There will be, of course, a Chilebrown touch of some chipotle pepper. This soup sure smells good simmering a way while watching Bowl games. Let's Go!

Chilebrown's Split Pea Soup

1. One ham bone
2. 1 pound split peas
3. 2 slices of bacon chopped
4. 1 onion chopped fine
5. 2 stalks celery cubed
6. 2 carrots cubed
7. 2 chipotle peppers
8. salt & pepper
9. 1 tablespoon cumin
10. 1 teaspoon oregano
11. 1 tablespoon dried parsley

Cook Bacon and onion for 5 minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients except salt & pepper and reserve 1/2 of cubed carrots and celery. Cover with water and bring to simmer.Add additional water if needed. Simmer for 1 hour. At this point remove the ham bone and chipotle pepper. Take a sturdy wooden spoon and stir vigorously. This will break up the split peas a little. Add the remain carrots and celery to hot liquid. Season with salt & pepper.Cover and turn off heat. When bone is cool, remove meat and chop into pieces. Chop chipotle pepper. Return pepper and ham to pot and heat thoroughly. Serve with Ham Sandwiches

This soup is thick and hearty. The Nueske bacon adds a hint of smokiness. The chipotle pepper adds a little heat to warm your soul. There are even some vegetables to make your body happy! Enjoy!