Vegetarian Split Pea Soup

Ingredients

• 1 pound dried split peas
• 1 leek, rinsed and chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 2 red potato, peeled and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 7 cups hot water
• 1 bay leaves
• 1/2 cup chopped parsley
• 1 tsp. oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper