SPLIT PEA AND HAM SOUP WITH CROUTONS

Steps:

• 1. Place your ham bone in a large pot and cook on medium heat for 1 1/2 hours.
• 2. Look through your split peas and throw out any bad ones and then rinse with cold water. Remove your ham bone and remove the remaining meat on the bone. Tear or cut into smaller pieces.
• 3. In another pot take at least a quart of the broth and add your peas, seasonings and your ham. Begin cooking on a medium heat for 1/2 hour or so. Continue to add broth to your liking as the peas absorb broth you will need to add more.
• 4. After 1 1/2 cooking or so, add your carrots, celery and onions. While this continues to cook for another 1/2 or so till vegetables and peas are done you can make your croutons.
• 5. CROUTONS: Tear your bread into smaller pieces and coat with your oil and toss with hands. Now, add your seasonings of garlic powder and beau monde. If you don't have beau monde just add garlic salt. Add a little more oil if necessary to coat the bread pieces evenly as possible. Place in oven on some tin foil OR parchment paper at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.
• 6. Ladle your soup into a bowl and add your croutons. Now you are ready to eat.