Old Fashioned Split Pea Soup
["1 lb. dried split peas", "5 c. chicken broth", "2-1/2 c. water", "1 meaty ham hock", "1 med. onion stuffed with 12 whole cloves", "2 stalks celery, diced", "2 carrots, peeled & sliced", "2 cloves garlic, cut in half", "2 bay leaves", "1/2 tsp. salt", "1/2 c. heavy cream, if desired"]
["Soak peas in chicken broth and water overnight.", "Place peas and soaking liquid, ham hock, onion, celery, carrots, garlic, bay leaves, and salt in slow cooker.", "Cook on low for 8 hours. Remove onion and bay leaves, and discard.", "Remove ham hock, and dice meat.", "Can add 1/2 c. heavy cream, if desired.", "Serves 8."]
["peas", "chicken broth", "water", "ham hock", "onion", "stalks celery", "carrots", "garlic", "bay leaves", "salt", "heavy cream"]