This recipe is so easy that you can fit it into your schedule, no matter how busy you are. The great things about using a slow cooker is you put in about 15 minutes at night to prep for the morning where you put about in 10 more minutes. That takes less time than driving to a restaurant to eat out.

Slow Cooker Smokey Split Pea Soup – gluten-free

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 6 – 8  hours

• 1 bag of split peas (about 2 – 3 cups)
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 potato, chopped
• 3 carrots, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tb dried thyme (or a few sprigs of fresh)
• 1 tsp cajun seasoning (use salt-free f possible)
• 1 tsp chipolte powder
• 1 tsp liquid smoke
• 7 cups filtered water or veggie broth
• pepper

The night before: Chop the veggies into medium-sized cubes. Peel the potatoes and carrots if they are not organic. Mince the garlic.

In the morning: Throw everything in your slow cooker and cook for 8 hours on low.

Taste to see if you need to adjust seasonings. You may need to add a little salt.  Purée with an immersion blender.

Serve topped with croutons and chopped vegan bacon.