Recipe - Vegan Curried Split Pea Soup

So i'm in the process of trying to eat less meat. reason for this is because I really don't feel like i need so much of it in my diet. so, in order to eat less meat i have to eat more of something else... gotta crowd out the meat... it took me all my might and power not to make this split pea soup a split pea and ham soup, cause well, my split pea and ham soup is amazing... i decided to look up some vegetarian options and i combined a few and came up w/ an original idea of my own. (using a yam). I thought it would be really yummy to sweeten up the recipe since using curry...I have to say that i'm pretty darn happy with how it turned out...

1 cup chopped onion
1 med-large diced yam
2 diced carrots
olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic
12 ounces dried green or yellow split peas, picked over and rinsed
5 cups water
1-2 tablespoon curry powder (depends how currified you want it)

Saute the veggies in olive oil until tender. Do not let get brown. Add split peas, water and curry. The recipe i found called for 1 tblsp but i added an entire tablespoon more and i could have prob even added more. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and cook at a simmer until the peas are tender and not holding their shape any longer, approximately 45 to 50 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper. I never puree my split pea soup, as i like it chunky but i thought it would be a good idea to do so to incorporate the sweetness of the carrot and yam into every bite. Puree the soup w/ a hand or traditional blender until the desired consistency. Watch out for hot splatters.