Ham Hock & Barley Soup - Linda

A whole hock into a pot of cold water, boil to get out any impurities.
Prepare veges…
3 brown onions diced
3 carrots diced
6 cloves garlic chopped
3 stalks celery chopped

Check if water is boiling, if so remove hock and THROW water out.
Add oil to pot, then add veges for about 10 mins until golden brown
Chop 3 ripe tomatoes, handful thyme, half cup of barley, 2 and ½ cups green split peas (no need to soak), and ham hock, add to pot as well as 2.5 to 3 litres of water and put on low heat.
Leave lid half on, cook for 2.5 hours until meat is coming off the bone. Check every half an hour and add water if too thick.
Serve with black pepper to taste.

Debbie's variation I quite like lamb shank and barley soup. Similar recipe.
I add traditional soup veges to the shanks......onion, parsley,carrot, celery, parsnip, turnip