80--- Crock Pot Split Pea Stew

I've made split pea soup before.  It's a go-to of mine.  All you need is a bag of split peas, an onion and some carrots and you're good to go!

But this time I was in the mood for a heartier soup of sorts.

A few additions later, and we had a stew!  The base is still your typical creamy (non-dairy) split pea.  But the chunks of potatoes and green peas make it so much MORE.  I also like how the ham is an accessory rather than the main attraction.

Crock Pot Split Pea Stew
Serves 10-12

10 cups water+ 3 Tbsp low sodium vegetable bouillon base (or use 10 cups of low sodium vegetable broth)
24 oz green split peas
2 small yellow onions, coarsely chopped
5 medium carrots, coarsely chopped
2 cups lean ham cubes
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/2 tsp dried parsley flakes
5 medium red potatoes, cubed
1 1/2 cups frozen green peas

In a crock pot, combine all ingredients EXCEPT for potatoes and peas.  Set crock pot on low for 10 hours.

Do whatever it is that you do during the day.

Come home to a delicious-smelling house.

For final two hours of cooking, add in potatoes and peas.  *Note: as an alternative you can pre-boil the potatoes until soft and add them in with the peas 15 minutes prior to serving.

*Additional note: you can downsize this recipe so that it only feeds your family.  However, if you make the full batch, for the same amount of work you can have one or two additional frozen bags of split pea stew in your freezer- ready for reheating any chilly day when you are low on time.

Nutrition Info per 1 1/2 cups: 172 calories, 1 g fat, 12.5 g protein, 22 g carbohydrates, 8 g fiber