pea soup recipe

1. **Ingredients:** - 2 tablespoons of olive oil - 1 chopped onion - 2 minced garlic cloves - 2 cups of split peas, rinsed - 8 cups of vegetable broth - 2 chopped carrots - 2 chopped celery stalks - 1 bay leaf - 1 teaspoon of dried thyme - Salt and pepper to taste - Optional: 1 cup of diced ham or bacon