Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
                        -eileen lamparelli
   1      cup           yellow split peas
   1                    meaty ham hock
   2      quarts        water
     1/2  teaspoon      dry mustard
   4                    carrots -- diced
   1                    onion -- diced
                        salt and pepper -- to taste
   2      tablespoons   dry sherry (optional)

Preparation:

Soak the peas overnight and drain. Place in the crockpot along with the ham hock, water, mustard, carrots and onion. Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 12 hours. When the peas are tender, mash lightly with a spoon. Add salt and pepper and if desired the sherry. Heat about 30 minutes more. Sometimes I cook this overnight and just heat up when it's time to ea