This is a nice change from ham-based pea soups and also (therefore) suits vegetarians and anyone else.It's simply great; no, it's better than that: it's outstanding and hands-off easy. Serve with a fresh country bread.If you prefer a smokey taste, (minus a ham bone), add a few drops of Wright's Liquid Smoke or even a bit of smoked paprika or chipolte powder. Here's another trick: if you don't want to get a whole package of celery (since you are not a celery user) for the 1/2 cup celery this recipe calls for, use 1/2 teaspoon (or a bit less) celery powder (not salt or seed) instead. You will get the celery taste and not have any celery wastage (so to speak). Lately, I make a bowl of multi-coloured, gluten-free couscous and spoon out some in the soup bowl before covering it with a few hot ladles of this marvellous pea soup.