Split Pea Soup
["1 (16 oz.) pkg. dried green split peas", "2 3/4 qt. water", "4 small hot peppers", "3 medium onions, diced", "2 bay leaves", "1 large ham hock", "1/4 c. chopped celery leaves", "2 Tbsp. chopped parsley"]
["Sort and wash dried green split peas; place in Dutch oven. Add 2 3/4 quarts water; cover and bring to boil.", "Cook 2 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 1 hour.", "Add remaining ingredients to peas.", "Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 1 hour.", "Remove ham hock, peppers and bay leaves.", "Cut ham from ham hock and chop. Add to peas.", "If desired, spoon mixture into electric blender and process until smooth."]
["peas", "water", "hot peppers", "onions", "bay leaves", "ham hock", "celery", "parsley"]