Split Pea Soup

I'll be honest, this one got mixed reviews at my house. I absolutely loved it, my youngest "really liked" it, and my oldest said, "meh." I interpret that as teenage talk for, "I'll eat it but it's not the same as nachos." This dish is high in fiber, very low in fat, and extremely delicious. If you don't have a crock pot, you can cook it in a pot on the stove.

16 oz. dried split green peas
1 small sweet or yellow onion, finely diced
2 cups sliced carrots
2 T. minced garlic
7 cups veggie broth
1 t. liquid smoke
1/4 c. nutritional yeast (optional)

Sort peas, removing any debris, and rinse thoroughly under cold running water. Place drained peas in a large crock pot. Add onion, carrots, garlic, veggie broth and liquid smoke (in that order). Do not stir - just layer the stuff , cover, turn on the crock pot and walk away. Cook on low for 10 hours or high 4 to 5 hours. Stir just before serving. Add nutritional yeast if desired.

Note: This will keep well in the refrigerator and is almost better, I think, the next day.

Makes 8 servings. Cal: 92, Fat: 0.3, Carb: 18, Fiber: 5, Sugar: 4, Protein 5.

Random Factoid: Split pea soup traditionally uses the bone from a ham for flavoring.

Tip: Veggie broth can come from a variety of sources. You can get it powdered (albeit very high in sodium), pre-made in cans or aseptic packaging, or you can make your own. To make your own veggie broth, simply steam veggies (which you're doing anyway, right?) and save the steaming water. This also works when boiling veggies in water. Homemade veggie broth is by far the healthiest way to go. Why? You control what goes in your broth. :o)