Yummy Split Pea Soup

So I modified this recipe from a Good Eats episode--which, by the way, everyone should watch. Before you say "ew peas!" and run away, you should so give it a try! This is the yummiest soup, and all of our kids LOVE it.

2 tablespoons butter
1 cup chopped onion
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic
32 ounces dried green or yellow split peas, picked over and rinsed
4 cups chicken broth
4 cups water (or so)
5 or 6 slices of bacon, well done
2 Tablespoons of flax seed, ground
1 sprinkle basil
((*substitutes? You can leave out the chicken broth, and use more water. You can use leaks instead of onions, and technically you can use table salt and pre-ground pepper, but it changes the taste. :())

Start by putting water and broth in crockpot and turn to high. Fry up the bacon slices and crumble them up. Put about 1/3 of the bacon into the crockpot now. The rest will go in as it is served to add crunch. :) You may need to add more water later in the cooking process, depending on how thin or thick you'd like your soup.

In a small pot melt the butter over medium heat and add the onions and garlic. Keep the temperature below a simmer, and stir frequently until the onions are soft.

Now you're going to want to wash, and sort your split peas if you haven't already. Make sure there aren't any rocks or any other objects in there! Add the peas to the water, as well as the onion/garlic mix.

A pinch of kosher salt, and liberal grindings of black pepper should be added as well. Obviously this is to taste, since we enjoy pepper we add a bunch. :)

Since peas don't take long to get tender, if you put the crockpot on high it will be done in around an hour. Make sure you take a hand blender and mash up the peas, making sure to leave it lumpy for the texture. Add the flax seed, and turn to low/warm until ready to serve.

Serve with sprinkled crispy bacon on top, or shredded cheese.

This is what we're eating today. :) Yum.