Pea Soup

Ingredients

• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Salt and pepper - To taste
• Thyme - 1 teaspoon
• Bay leaf - 1
• Chicken broth - 4 cups
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Celery - 1 stalk, diced
• Carrot - 1, diced
• Onion - 1, chopped
• Ham - 1 cup, diced
• Green peas - 4 cups, frozen

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and garlic. Cook until the vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the ham and cook for another 2 minutes.
4. Add the green peas, chicken broth, bay leaf, thyme, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 minutes.
5. Remove the bay leaf and use an immersion blender to puree the soup until smooth. Alternatively, transfer the soup to a blender and blend until smooth.
6. Return the soup to the pot and heat over low heat until warmed through.
7. Serve hot and enjoy!