Hearty Split Pea Soup

What you need:

• 5 cups chicken broth or water
  
• 1 cup dry split green peas
• 1/2 cup dry baby Lima beans
• 1/4 cup dry barley
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 3 stalks celery, chopped
• 4 small potatoes, peeled and diced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon celery seed
• 1 Tablespoon dried parsley leaves
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• Salt to taste - this depends on if you have ham in your soup, if you used broth or just plain water. For plain water use 2 Tbsp salt. Adjust accordingly.

What to do:

Combine all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on high for 4-5 hours, low for 7-8 hours.

It makes a large quantity. Recipe can be cut in half if you don't want leftovers. Great for freezing up to make an easy dinner at a later time. Can freeze for up to 3 months.

I add diced up bacon or kielbasa (smoked sausage) or diced up ham to the soup if i want meat but it is REALLY filling on it's own.