Country Style Spilt Pea Soup

1/2 cup chopped onion
2 minced cloves of garlic
1 tsp butter or oil
1 cup green or yellow split peas
1 quart ham or chicken broth
dash of pepper
1 bay leaf
1/4 diced celery
2 small carrots peeled and diced
2 medium potatoes peeled and diced
1 cup cubed cooked ham

In a large saucepan saute onion and garlic in butter or oil until just tender, about 5 min. Add peas, stock, bay leaf and pepper. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat to simmer. Add ham. Cook and simmer until peas are just tender, stirring occasionally, about 30 min. Add vegetables to soup. Cover and simmer until vegetables are cooked, 10-15 min.