Quick Split Pea Soup

Directions

1. 1
   Cut ham into 1/2-inch cubes.
2. 2
   Chop onion.
3. 3
   In 4-quart saucepan over medium-high heat, in 1 tablespoon hot salad oil, cook ham until golden; remove to plate.
4. 4
   In drippings in saucepan plus 1 more tablespoon hot salad oil, cook onion until golden.
5. 5
   Meanwhile, peel potato and cut into 1-inch chunks.
6. 6
   Add potato chunks, frozen peas, chicken broth, and 3 1/4 cups water to saucepan; over high heat, heat to boiling.
7. 7
   Reduce heat to low; cover and simmer 10 minutes or until potato chunks are fork-tender.
8. 8
   Remove saucepan from heat.
9. 9
   Spoon one-fourth of soup mixture into blender; cover (with center part of cover removed) and blend at low speed until smooth.
10. 10
    Pour pureed soup into large bowl.
11. 11
    Repeat 3 more times with remaining soup.
12. 12
    Return pureed soup to saucepan.
13. 13
    Add ham and half-and-half.
14. 14
    Over medium heat, heat through, stirring often.