Split Pea & Barley Soup

2 cups split peas
6 cups water
4 cups chicken broth
1/3 cup onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 teaspoons lemon juice
1 tsp salt
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp parsley
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp thyme
1/2 cup barley
6 cups water
2 carrots, diced
1/4 cup celery, diced
snipped green onion to garnish

Rinse and sort the split peas. Add them to a large pot with 6 cups of water, chicken broth, onion, garlic, lemon juice, salt, sugar, parsley, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1-1 1/2 hours or until the peas are soft.

While the peas are cooking, combine the barley with 6 cups of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 1-1 1/2 hours or until the barley is soft and most of the water has been absorbed.

When the split pea mixture has become a thick soup, use a blender to puree the peas until the mixture is smooth.

Drain the the remaining water from the barley and add the barley to the split pea mixture. Add the carrots and celery and continue to simmer the soup for 15 to 30 minutes or until the carrots are tender, stirring occasionally.

Turn off the heat, cover the soup, and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Garnish each serving with the snipped green onion.

(Source: www.topsecretrecipes.com)