Split Pea Soup

Not everyone likes split pea soup. For those that do here is a very simple recipe the way I make it. I have come to find out that this was a favorite recipe of my grandfather's. ( thanks Mom for sharing that info with me ) My grandmother made it with cut up hotdogs. I had bacon on hand. But you could use ham too.

Split Pea Soup

1 bag of dried split peas ( 1lb )
1 onion diced
1 T of minced garlic
1/2 lb of smoked bacon cut into bite size pieces
3 capfuls of liquid smoke
3 small white potatoes diced small
4+ cups of water
1 packet of chicken seasoning from Ramen noodles
salt and pepper to taste
pinch of fine sage
pinch of dried basil

Cook onions and garlic in some oil and then add bacon, add 2 cap fuls of the liquid smoke ( small bottle ) then add the salt and pepper cook till bacon is almost done but not crispy. then add the peas which have been rinsed and gone through. then add 4 cups of water..add sage and basil then bring to a boil turn heat down..add potatoes then trun down to a simmer and cover. check in 15 mins to add more water then add about another cup and then the chicken boulion..cover cook for another 45 mins adding water if it gets too thick. cook till onions have dissovled and peas are very thick and mushy and potatoes are done.