Yellow Split-Pea Soup With Kielbasa(My Favorite Winter Soup - A Meal In Itself)  
["1 onion, halved lengthwise and sliced thin crosswise", "2 Tbsp. unsalted butter or margarine", "1 lb. dried yellow split-peas, picked over and rinsed", "2 c. sliced peeled carrot", "3/4 c. sliced celery", "1 lb. kielbasa, cut into 1 1/2-inch lengths (may use turkey kielbasa)", "1/2 bay leaf"]
["In a heavy kettle, cook the onion in the butter over moderately low heat, stirring until it is softened.", "Add the split-peas, the sliced carrot, the celery, the kielbasa, the bay leaf and 2 1/2 quarts water.", "Bring the liquid to a boil, skimming the froth and simmer the mixture, covered, stirring occasionally for 3 hours.", "Discard the bay leaf and transfer the kielbasa with a slotted spoon to a plate.", "In a blender, puree the mixture in batches.", "Transfer the puree to the kettle and thin it with hot water to the desired consistency.", "Cut the kielbasa into 1/4-inch thick slices.", "Quarter the slices and add them to the soup. Season the soup with salt and pepper.", "Makes about 9 cups before thinning, serving 6."]
["onion", "butter", "peas", "carrot", "celery", "kielbasa", "bay leaf"]