Place dried split peas in a large bowl. Rinse them under cold water. Remove any small stones or damaged peas. Draining the peas helps improve texture while cooking.

Chop the onion, carrots and celery into small pieces. Mince the garlic cloves finely. Keeping vegetables evenly sized helps them cook at the same speed and blend smoothly later.

Place a large soup pot on medium heat. Add a splash of oil. Add chopped onion, carrots and celery. Cook gently for about five minutes. Stir often until vegetables soften slightly.

Add minced garlic, thyme and bay leaf. Stir for one minute until fragrant. Cooking herbs briefly releases their aroma and builds flavor in the soup base.

Place the smoked ham hock into the pot. Add rinsed split peas. Pour in chicken stock until everything is covered. The ham will slowly release its rich smoky flavor.

Bring the mixture to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for about 90 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. The peas will soften and thicken the soup.

Carefully remove the ham hock from the pot. Let it cool slightly. Remove skin and bones. Shred the tender meat into small pieces using two forks.

Use a hand blender to blend the soup until smooth. You can leave some texture if preferred. Blending creates a creamy consistency without adding cream.

Add shredded ham back into the soup. Stir well. Taste and adjust salt and pepper. Simmer for five more minutes before serving hot. This completes how to make Hairy Bikers Pea and Ham Soup Recipe at home.