Quebecois Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

2 tbsp oil or margarine

2 medium onions, diced

2 medium potatoes, diced

¼ cup vegetarian bacon bits (or chopped veggie bacon slices)

2 cups yellow split peas, rinsed

4 cups vegetarian chicken stock (or vegetable stock)

3 cups water

½ tsp garlic powder

Pinch of dried French thyme

¼ tsp ground pepper

Directions

In large soup pot, heat margarine or oil over medium high heat and then sauté onions until translucent, about 5-7 minutes. Add potatoes, veggie bacon and split peas and continue to cook for 1-2 minutes longer, stirring occasionally.

Add stock and all other ingredients to pan and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and simmer covered for 50 minutes.

Once split peas are sufficiently softened (might need another 10 minutes), use a hand-held immersion blender to coarsely puree the soup. Serve with crusty bread and more ground pepper on top.