Lentil Soup

Total Time: 2 hrs Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr 45 mins

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups lentils (dry)
• 3 onions (chopped)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 garlic cloves (mashed and chopped)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 stalks celery (chopped, including some leaves)
• 2 large carrots (sliced in small rounds)
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin (freshly ground)
• 1 quart tomato (diced)
• 4 cups water (or vegetable broth, more, if needed)
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper (freshly ground)

Recipe

• 1 wash and sort lentils.
• 2 put in large pot, cover with water, and bring to boil, then boil gently for 2 minutes.
• 3 cover and set aside for one hour.
• 4 sauté onions in olive oil, with salt, over low heat until translucent.
• 5 add garlic and continue to cook until soft.
• 6 add garlic and onions to pot of lentils.
• 7 sauté celery and carrots in olive oil until tender.
• 8 add to pot of lentils.
• 9 add cumin, tomatoes, water and pepper.
• 10 simmer gently for about 30 more minutes, or until tender.
• 11 serve with crusty bread.