New Age Pea and Ham Soup

Ingredients
extra virgin olive oil
1 med onion (150g), chopped coarsley
2 tsp ground cumin
10 cups hot water – just boil in your kettle!
200g celery sticks, chopped coarsley
2 dried bay leaves
3 x smoked bacon rib racks (700g each), cut into segments
250g risoni pasta
250g frozen peas
To serve: 2 tbsp fresh mint, finely chopped; warmed crusty bread rolls

Method

1. Heat your large saucepan with medium heat, about 6 oclock heat, and once hot, add a good splash of olive oil. A medium heat will mean you will cook your onions evenly, and not burn or boil them.
2. Add cumin, stir, until fragrant; about 1 minute.
3. Add water, celery, bay leaves, and smoked bacon rib racks.
4. Bring the soup to a boil, then reduce the heat ans simmer covered for 1 hr, skimming off the fat occasionally.
5. Remove the smoked bacon ribs, and when cool enough to handle, remove the meat off each rib,shred, and return to the saucepan.
6. Add pasta and peas.
7. Cook uncovered abput 5 mins or until pasta is cooked.
8. Serve with mint, and warmed crusty rolls. Rolls only need about 10 mins in your oven. Enjoy!