Split Pea Soup with Turkey Bacon

6 slices turkey bacon
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon (1 clove) minced garlic
1 large yellow onion, diced
6 cups chicken stock
1 celery rib, diced
1 large carrot, diced
1 pound dried split peas
salt & pepper to taste

Chop uncooked turkey bacon and combine with olive oil in a stock pot. Cook bacon until it starts to crisp, add onion and garlic and sautee until onion is translucent. Add chicken stock, celery, carrots and split peas. Bring to a boil, then cover and simmer until peas are soft, approximately 1 hour.
Puree in batches or use an immersion blender to puree soup.

Note: If you opt to substitute regular bacon instead of turkey bacon, omit the olive oil and cook the bacon, onion & garlic in the bacon fat.

Makes 6 servings