What's For Dinner?

Today was a rainy cold day, so of course I love to make something that is comforting. Today, I made split pea soup. Most people when I mention this soup give me a questioning look, and usually ask me if my kids will even eat that. Thankfully, I have been blessed with three not so picky eaters. The first thing I do is prep all of my ingredients. I chop my onion, 2 carrots, 3 celery sticks (including the leafy part), and 3 cloves of garlic. Allow the pot to get warm, and add 2 tbls of olive oil. I then sauté the onions, and carrots. When the onions begin to become translucent, I add the garlic, celery and 1 tbls paprika. After approximately 3 minutes, I add a 48 oz box of chicken stalk, 4 cups of water, 1 16 oz bag of split peas, and 2 smoked pork hocks (you can also use a left over ham bone). I allow this to cook slowly for 4 hours, salt and pepper as needed. When the 4 hours are up I remove the pork hocks. When they become cool I add what ever meat falls off back into the soup. The soup will be scrumptiously delicious, perfectly served with some homemade cornbread.