On Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:23:49 -0700 (PDT), Lucille
> wrote:

>On Sep 27, 10:31*am, Chet > wrote:
>> I have made split pea soup a few times, but cannot get the nice flavor
>> that when I get it at the restaurants, not sure what I am missing in my
>> recipe.
>>
>> * *this is my recipe in a crock pot
>> * 2 qts water
>> 1 lb dried split peas
>> 2 carrots chopped
>> 2 stalks celery chopped
>> 1 onion sliced
>> some salt & pepper
>> 1 small ham hock
>> 1 bay leaf
>>
>> after 8hrs I remove the ham hock and take the meat off the bone, then I
>> use a stick blender, let it cool and scoop off the layer of fat on the
>> top of the soup and add the ham pcs it's not bad, but there is a smokey
>> flavor missing.
>
>When I make soup I use chicken stock instead of water. Or you can
>try vegetable stock.

I find pea soup works best with water, stock hides the pea flavor. I
think a meaty smoked ham bone makes all the meat stock it needs. And
chicken stock with smoked ham besides not being kosher is big time
TIAD.