dixiedragon's Recipe

Lentil Soup (also vegan option)

Category: Recipes

Lentil Soup

Great winter warm up! and healthy.

Lentils, carrots, celery, onions, garlic, canned diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, salt, pepper, bay leaves, optional but recommended: ham bone for seasoning or other chopped pork

Combine the following ingredients in a large stock pot with 8 cups of vegetable stock (boullion cubes are fine)

2 medium onions: cut onion in half and slice then turn crosswise and cut again in half to get thin small slices rather than diced

small bag of peeled whole baby carrots (you can't have too many carrots)

5-6 stalks of celery: slice crosswise thinly

2 tablespoons of minced garlic

1 LARGE can of petite diced tomatoes

3 bay leaves

1 tablespoon of coarse ground black pepper (I actually use more but I love pepper)

salt to taste (I use probably a tablespoon or more)

OPTIONAL:

ham bone or ham chunks or chopped pork rib meat (leave out if you are vegan or just don't have it) it's great without it just better with

Heat over medium high heat to a slow boil for 15 minutes then add

2 bags of lentils

reduce heat and cook for 1 hour or till carrots and lentils are tender WATCH YOUR LIQUID if it cooks down too much add plain water one cup at a time til desired consistency is reached (DON'T OVER DO THE WATER) and increase salt and pepper seasoning to taste

Pluck out your bay leaves and chop the meat off the ham bone before serving -- Makes a huge pot - probably a gallon and a half. freezes well for quick microwave meals - serve with cornbread and a salad