Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 bay leaves
• 8 cups water
• 2 sprigs thyme
• 1 tablespoon garlic (minced)
• 2 cups carrots (diced)
• 1 lb. dry split peas (equal to 2 cups)
• 1 ham bone (See notes for substitution options)
• 2 cups ham (cut from the ham bone at the end.)
• 2 cups onions (diced)
• 1 ½ tablespoons onion powder (not teaspoons)
• 2 russet potatoes (peeled and diced)