Split Pea Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 Tb butter
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 5 cups frozen peas
• 2 cans (13 3/4 ounces each) chicken broth
• 1 Tb snipped chives, plus additional for garnish, if desired
• Salt and pepper
• 1 cup buttermilk
  

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, heat the 1 tbsp. butter over medium heat until melted. Add the onion and cook, stirring, about 5 minutes, until softened. Add the 5 cups peas and 4 cups broth and bring to a boil. Simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes, until peas are tender. Stir in the 1 tbsp. chives.
2. In a blender, puree the soup in batches. Strain the pureed soup back into the saucepan and reheat until hot. Add salt and pepper to taste. Stir in 2/3 cup of the buttermilk. Remove from the heat, but cover to keep warm. Add the remaining 1/3 cup buttermilk, if desired, to thin the soup to the desired consistency.