Split-pea soup

Simple+cheap+easy= super awesome and delicious on a snowy Christmas day!


1 bag of split peas (1 lb)
a Tablespoon or so of crushed red pepper
1 smoked hamhock (liquid smoke, if you're a vegetablearian)
4 or 5 guajillos and a couple anchos, stemmed and minced
1 medium to large onion, diced
dash of cumin
salt to taste (if you're using the hamhock, or bacon or anything like that, probably less than you think you need, due to the already present saltiness in the pork)
black pepper to taste

Rinse the peas, then throw everything but the onion in a pot and cover with an inch or two of water (the hamhock probably will not be completely covered).

Bring to a boil, covered, then turn down to a simmer. After about 20-30 minutes toss in the onions and keep simmering until done (about 45 minutes total). Blend in the pot with your immersion blender and just try to keep yourself from going back for more until you feel like you're ready to explode.