Creamy Split Pea And Ham Soup

Ingredients

• 1 cup split peas or dried beans
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 quarts water
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon flour
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Ham bone (optional)
• 1 onion (optional)
• Croûtons for serving

Method

1. 1 Soak split peas or beans overnight in 3 quarts of cold water.
2. 2 Drain and place peas or beans in a saucepan with 2 quarts of water and a ham bone if using.
3. 3 Simmer for 4-5 hours until peas or beans are perfectly soft, adding water as needed.
4. 4 Pass the mixture through a sieve into a clean saucepan.
5. 5 Add stock, milk, or water to the pulp to reach the consistency of cream.
6. 6 Season with salt, pepper, and sugar.
7. 7 Cook 1 tablespoon butter and 1 tablespoon flour together to make a roux.
8. 8 Dilute the roux with a little of the hot soup, then stir it back into the pot to thicken.