Split Pea Soup

This is my step dad Kevin's recipe. It is definetly a family favorite!

1 bag (16 oz) green split peas
butter or olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 onion, chopped
6 cups chicken broth
1 ham hock
2-3 carrots thinly sliced (optional- I add them for color)

In a large sauce pan saute garlic and onion in a some butter or olive oil. Rinse and sort peas, put into crock pot. Add chicken broth, ham hock, carrots and sauteed garlic and onion to crock pot. Simmer on low all day until the peas are tender. About 15 minutes before serving, remove the ham hock and slice all of the meat off discarding the bone. Stir sliced meat into the soup.