Ham and Split Pea Soup

Ingredients:

2 cups split peas

2 lbs ham shank

½ cup (small) chopped onion

½ tsp salt

½ tsp sweet basil

6 peppercorns

8 cups water

 2 medium stalks celery, sliced

1 medium carrot, chopped if desired

Procedure:

In large saucepan, combine all ingredients except celery and carrots. Simmer, covered 2 to 2 ½ hours until peas are tender and soup thickens. Add celery and carrots. Continue simmering about 30 minutes until vegetables are tender. Remove peppercorns and ham shank; cut meat from bone into chunks and return to soup. If desired, top servings with crumbled bacon, paprika, or sieved hard-cooked egg.