Yellow Split Pea Soup

It's been quite awhile since I've posted any new recipes!  We welcomed our third son into the world in January and have been enjoying our time as a family of five!  I love to ask our four year old for ideas of what to fix for dinner, because he always comes up with great ideas!  He loves soup so it wasn't a surprise when he suggested split pea soup.  He was especially excited to try the yellow split peas.  My hubby treated us to this yummy recipe.  It's hearty and has  a wonderful creamy texture without the cream. Enjoy!

yellow split peas

Recipe: (serves 6)
~ 2 hours
Ingredients:
1 lb bag of dried yellow split peas
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 large carrots, chopped
3 celery stalks, chopped
6-8 small potatoes (fingerling), cubed
8 cups of chicken broth or stock (or try using "Better than Bouillon Organic Chicken Base")
1/2 teaspoon tumeric
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander seeds
6 oz cooked ham, cut into 1/2 inch cubes

Directions:
1. Bring 8-10 cups of water to boil in a large pot and add peas. Boil for 2 minutes then remove pot from the heat and let sit peas sit in hot water for 1 hour. Then drain and rinse the peas thoroughly.
2. In a large pot over medium high heat saute the carrots and celery in the olive oil for ~5 minutes.
3. Add the peas, potatoes, chicken broth, tumeric, coriander and half of the cooked ham cubes and bring to a boil.
4. Boil for 15 minutes then turn the heat down to low heat and simmer for another 20 minutes.
5. Remove soup from the heat and blend with an immersion blender for 3 minutes or until silky smooth. *If you don't have an immersion blender you can blend in a blender or food processor working in batches.
6. Add the remaining ham cubes and serve hot with some crusty bread and crisp green salad.