Can you make pea soup from a ham bone Christmas?

Absolutely! A ham bone is a fantastic base for a delicious pea soup. Here's how to make it:

Ingredients:

* 1 ham bone (from your Christmas ham)

* 1 large onion, chopped

* 2 carrots, chopped

* 2 celery stalks, chopped

* 4 cloves garlic, minced

* 1 tablespoon olive oil

* 1 teaspoon dried thyme

* 1/2 teaspoon salt

* 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

* 8 cups chicken broth or water

* 2 cups frozen peas

* 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prep the Ham Bone: If your ham bone is very large, you can cut it in half. Rinse it well under cold water to remove any excess salt.

2. Sweat the Vegetables: In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic and cook until softened, about 5-7 minutes.

3. Add the Ham Bone and Spices: Add the ham bone, thyme, salt, and pepper to the pot. Stir to coat the vegetables.

4. Add the Broth: Pour in the chicken broth or water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for at least 1 hour, or until the vegetables are very tender and the broth is flavorful.

5. Add the Peas: Stir in the peas and cook for another 5 minutes, or until they are tender.

6. Remove the Ham Bone: Carefully remove the ham bone from the soup. You can use a fork to pull off any remaining meat and add it back to the soup.

7. Blend (Optional): For a creamier soup, use an immersion blender to blend about half of the soup. Or transfer portions of the soup to a blender and blend until smooth, being careful with the hot liquids.

8. Serve: Ladle the soup into bowls and garnish with chopped parsley, if desired.

Tips:

* Adjust the seasonings: Taste the soup before serving and add more salt, pepper, or other seasonings to your liking.

* Add more vegetables: Feel free to add other vegetables, such as potatoes, leeks, or green beans, to your soup.

* Make it ahead: This soup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently before serving.

* Freeze it: You can also freeze the soup for up to 3 months.

Enjoy your delicious and hearty ham bone pea soup!