MomsMenu.com Recipe Finder Green Pea Soup

4 thick bacon slices chopped (country bacon best)
1 large chopped onion
4 cups water (divided)
2 chopped carrots
2 chopped celery stalks
2 cups beef stock
1/4 pound diced ham
1 cup split green peas
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/4 cup flour
1/2 cup cold water

Saute bacon. Add onion, saute 2 minutes. Add 2 cups water, carrots and celery.
Boil 5 minutes.
Add stock and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Add ham and peas.
Boil gently for 2 hours until peas are mushy. Stir often. (Keep soup boiling so peas don't settle to the bottom and burn.)
Add salt and pepper.
Mix flour and 1/2 cup cold water. Stir into soup.
Cook a few minutes longer to thicken.

NOTES: - Freezes well.
- Add 1/2 cup more peas for a very thick soup.
- Soup is even better second day. Reheat slowly, stirring often. If soup is too thick, add a little hot water.