Split Pea Soup with Smoked Turkey Sausage

Split pea soup is a family favorite, and there are many variations that we enjoy.  Tonight we tried our first using smoked turkey sausage, and it too is a big hit.  It's a wonderful meal on a cold night with a bit of homemade bread.

Ingredients- 
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 sweet onion, chopped to your liking
2-3 carrots, peeled and cut into slices
2-3 stalks of celery, chopped
1lb bag of dried split peas
12 oz. smoked turkey sausage, sliced into ¼ inch rounds
6 cups of chicken broth
1 tsp. kosher or sea salt
¼ tsp. pepper (or more to taste)
2 Bay leaves

Directions-
In a heavy bottomed pot, or Dutch oven, heat oil over medium high heat.  Add sausage and brown for 5 minutes or so.  Remove sausage and set aside. 

Add onions, carrots, celery, and cook until tender - about 5 minutes.  Stir in broth, peas, salt, pepper, and bay leaves and bring to a boil over the medium high heat.  

Once boiling, add sausage and reduce heat to medium-low.  Allow soup to simmer, stirring occasionally until peas are tender. (40-50 minutes) 


Remove and discard bay leaves.  

Serve with bread or cornbread.

Enjoy!