Recipes

Serves 12 (freezes well)

1 pound split peas – rinsed
1 ham bone – optional
1 onion – chopped
2 carrots – peeled and sliced
1 stalk celery – chopped
2 cloves garlic – pressed
1 bay leaf
1 1/2 quarts water – use chicken broth if not using a ham bone.
salt and pepper – to taste

Put all ingredients into a crock pot, except the salt and pepper.
Cover and cook on high for 4 to 5 hours or low for 8 to 10 hours, or until peas are very soft. Before serving, remove bones and bay leaf.
Salt and pepper to taste.

Bake at 350 deg F (180C) for 20-25 minutes, or until they test done. Or, bake in greased 9x5x3" loaf pan for at 350 deg F for 1 hour, or until done. Sprinkle with powdered sugar if desired. Or better yet, make butter creme frosting flavored with the juice drained from the fresh strawberries! Decorate the tops with strawberry slices.

Makes 18-24 cupcakes.