Split Pea Soup

[vegelady]

     Ingredients:

     1   tablespoon olive oil 
     1/2   cup chopped carrots 
     1/2   cup chopped celery 
     1/2   medium onion chopped 
     2   garlic cloves finely chopped 
     8   cups vegetable stock 
     1   cup dried green split peas 
     3   bay leaves 
     4   whole cloves 
     1/2   teaspoon salt 
     1/8   teaspoon pepper 
     2   slices Worthington Stripples
     1   tablespoon chopped fresh parsley 


     Directions:

     1. In 4-quart saucepan, heat oil. Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic.
        Saute over medium heat for 5 minutes. Stir in vegetable stock, split peas, bay leaves, and cloves.
        Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat and cover.
        Simmer for 50 to 60 minutes or until peas are cooked and have disintegrated.

     2. Stir in salt, pepper, and chopped WORTHINGTON STRIPPLES.
        Cook until thoroughly heated. Remove bay leaves and cloves. Garnish with parsley and serve.