Split Pea Soup and Other Stuff

I'm feeling kinda compelled to post something this morning as it is Wed already and I haven't posted since Thanksgiving! And because I know Jacquie is out there waiting for her daily installment and hasn't had one all week.

I've been doing some Christmas shopping so I guess I'm not feeling all that frugal as of late. (With cash though so that's a good thing!)

Today I am house bound as the car is in the shop (NOT frugal, I know!) My girl is still sleeping but when she wakes up we will be doing some Christmas decorating and some crafts of some kind to keep her busy. Also, we will be making an apple pie to take to the in-laws for dinner with the remaining apples we have and also making my favorite frugal soup-Split Pea!

Split Pea Soup

1 Bag of dried Split peas-I like the yellow rather than the green as I think it makes the soup look a heck of a lot more appealing. ($.69)
1 Onion (I'll call this $.25 but it's probably cheaper)
1 Ham Bone-This is a necessity. Don't try and make pea soup without it. (You need to save this from when you make a ham or a least con your mother-in-law into saving hers for you-I do both. If you aren't feeling all soupy when you first get the bone then pop it in your freezer. I think I have 2 in there right now. No need to even thaw-Just throw it into the pot when you are ready for it)
1 Carrot- You can live without this if you don't have it. ($.22)
Olive oil

Rinse your split peas. Dice onion and carrot and sauté in oil until onion browns and starts to caramelize. Add peas and stir. Add ham bone and enough water to cover. Cook until ham is falling off the bone and soup cooks to the consistency you want it to be(1-1 1/2 hrs). Season with salt and pepper to taste. You can add a bay leaf when cooking if you like as well as a little thyme if you have it but a lot of times I don't do that. You can use chicken stock instead of water but only do that if you have it. This soup is great just as is. The whole pot costs $1.16 to make! Can you even stand it!

When you put it in the fridge it will solidify into a block (or whatever shape you put it in). No worries, just add a little water to thin the next time you want some. This soup freezes really well too!