1 lb. green split peas
2 qt. water
1 lg. onion, chopped
1 meaty ham bone

Rinse peas. Put onion and ham bone in water and bring to boil; add peas. Bring to boil and allow to boil 1 hour. Remove ham bone; take meat from bone and return meat to kettle. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook about 2 more hours. Leave on back of stove until ready to eat. More water may be added as necessary.

HINTS: This recipe may be doubled or tripled. The best soup is made from the water a boiled dinner was cooked in. Water that has been used to cook a vegetable is also very good. If you do not have a ham bone, you may use ham hocks, some bacon and some sliced ham or some smoked sausage.

You might like some garlic, basil or parsley added to the soup for flavor. Remember a little of these goes a long way. This soup can be left on the back of the stove for the day; just stir once in a while and add water as necessary.

It's great reheated and freezes well. Freeze solid in container that fits your cooler and it will serve as ice. Reheat on the campfire. It can't be beat.

If camping or a wood stove aren't your thing, reheat in crock pot and set on the counter for the day. The family can help themselves and you don't have to get their meal.