Hearty Split Pea Soup with Smoky Ham and Bacon

Unsalted Butter

tablespoons

Large Onion, chopped-fine

each

Salt

to taste

Black Pepper

to taste

Garlic Clove, minced

each

Water

cups

Ham Steak, rind-removed-cut-into-quarters

0 lb

Thick-Cut Bacon

each

Split Peas, picked-over-and-rinsed

0 lb

Fresh Thyme Sprigs

each

Bay Leaves

each

Carrots, peeled-and-cut-into-0.5-inch-pieces

each

Celery Rib, cut-into-0.5-inch-pieces

each

Butter Croutons

to taste