Split Pea and Potato Soup

Ingredients:

1 medium onion;

3 stalks celery;

2 medium carrots;

3 cloves garlic;

1/2 tsp black pepper;

2-3 bay leaves; crumbled;

2 tsp paprika; ground;

2 cups dry split peas;

2 medium potatoes; peeled and diced;

2 cups water.

Preparation:

In a sauce pan, brown onions, 5 min. Add celery, carrots and garlic, and continue to saute, 5 minutes. Add a touch of water as necessary.

Then add split peas, potatoes, water and spices, stir and bring to boil, then reduce heat to simmer and cover 1 and 1/2 hours.

Allow to partially cool, and with stick blender partially blend together, leaving a few peas and potato chunks for texture.

Salt to taste and garnish with fresh parsley.