Happy New Year!

Yes, it's that time of the year again. The time when gyms are full to bursting and everyone you know is moaning about how fat they feel!

Well, despair not! I hate the word "diet"....and the general consensus is that going on a diet causes you to feel deprived and dismal and full of despair. So, I am starting the New Year with a no diet approach, just a healthy approach to eating that tastes good. Of course, the odd walk would not go amiss either...

So, in the spirit of healthy eating that tastes great here's one of my favorite recipes:-
(as usual, the quantities are open to interpretation!)

Split Pea Soup

1 onion chopped
2 stalks celery chopped
2 carrots chopped (I often throw all of the above in the food processor and pulse until they are roughly chopped).
3 cups green or yellow split peas (no need to soak)
6 cups ham, veggie or chicken stock
2 dried bay leaves
salt and pepper to taste

Sweat (cook without coloring) the veggies in about 4 tablespoons water in a dutch oven with the lid on until slightly softened. Stir to prevent sticking.
Add peas, bay leaves and stock to pan.
Bring to boil then simmer until peas and veggies are soft.
At this point you can either serve it as is or use an immersion blender to give it a smoother consistency.
Salt and pepper to taste.
Feel free to add more liquid if the soup is too thick.
Extra additions could be diced or chopped ham to make pea and ham soup or curry powder/turmeric for an Indian style soup.

Serve with No Knead Bread and a green salad.