Get your bowl of comforting pea soup today!

When the colder weather hits, nothing beats a steaming bowl of pea soup to keep you warm. This recipe is simple to make and very affordable, making it the perfect meal for a busy person on a budget.

You will need:

1 lb. dry peas 3 quarts water 1 ham hock or smoked ham bone 1 onion, chopped 2 carrots, chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 1 bay leaf salt and pepper to taste

Optional toppings: shredded cheese sour cream crumbled bacon green onions, chopped jalapeno peppers, diced bread crumbs

To begin, soak the peas in water overnight. The next day, rinse and drain them before placing them in a large pot with the water and ham hock. Bring the mixture to a boil then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 1-2 hours until the peas are very soft. Discard the ham hock or bone and remove any excess fat from the soup. Add the onion, carrots, celery, bay leaf, salt and pepper to the soup and continue cooking for another 15 minutes. Remove the bay leaf before serving. If desired, top each bowl with shredded cheese, sour cream, bacon crumbles, green onions or jalapeno peppers. Serve with some fresh bread on the side for dipping. Enjoy!

Warm up with this easy and delicious pea soup recipe.3. This hearty pea soup is perfect for a winter meal.4. Make your own homemade pea soup with this simple recipe.5. Serve up some deliciousness with this easy pea soup recipe!

Ingredients: 1 pound dry split peas 1 ham hock 1 large onion, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 2 carrots, chopped 2 stalks celery, chopped 1 bay leaf 8 cups chicken or vegetable stock salt and black pepper to taste Directions:1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, combine the split peas, ham hock, onion, garlic, carrots, celery, bay leaf, and stock.2. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 1/2 hours.3. Remove the ham hock and let cool slightly. Remove the meat from the bone and chop into bite-size pieces. Discard the bone.4. Add the ham back into the soup and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Serve warm.