* 475 g (1 lb) split peas
* 1 onion, quartered
* Bouquet garni
* 50 g (2 oz) butter
* 1 large egg
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
* White wine vinegar (unconventional and very optional)

===Method===
* Soak the split peas in fresh water for 24 hours
* Rinse and drain
* Add the presoaked split peas to a large pan of boiling water containing the onion, bouquet garni, salt and pepper and return to the boil
* Simmer for 2 ½ hours, checking and adding water if required. Take it from me, it's easy to boil this one dry - and it stinks when you do!
* Drain the cooked split peas
* Blend in a food processor or press through a sieve or a potato ricer
* Beat in the egg and butter and season well
* I use a glug of white wine vinegar to thin this down if needed, but I have strange tastes

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