Slow Cooker Pea and Ham Soup

A proper old-fashioned soup. Smoky ham hock with sweet peas, thick enough to stand a spoon in.

Ingredients

• 1 smoked ham hock (about 700g)
• 200g dried split peas, rinsed
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 carrots, diced
• 2 sticks celery, diced
• 1.2 litres water or chicken stock
• 1 bay leaf
• Black pepper

Method

1. Place the ham hock in the slow cooker.
2. Add the split peas, onion, carrots, celery, and bay leaf.
3. Pour over the water or stock.
4. Cook on Low for 8-10 hours.
5. Remove the ham hock, shred the meat off the bone, and return the meat to the pot.
6. Remove the bay leaf. Stir well — the peas should have broken down into a thick soup.
7. Season with black pepper (you probably won't need salt as the ham is salty).

Tips

A ham hock costs about £2-3 and feeds 6 people. One of the most economical meals you can make.