Lentil Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 lbs smoked ham hock
• 10 cups water
• 2 carrots, scraped and sliced
• 2 celery ribs, chopped with their leaves
• 1 large onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup dry lentils, rinsed
• bouquet garni
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 whole cloves
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 6 peppercorns
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme

Recipe

• 1 make the bouquet garni by placing the herbs in a cheesecloth or a metal tea ball. place in large stock pot.
• 2 add all ingredients in stock pot--water, vegetables, lentils.
• 3 simmer the soup for one hour, covered, or until the lentils are tender. discard the bouquet garni.
• 4 remove the ham hocks. cut the meat from them. reserve. discard bones.
• 5 optional: in the container of a food processor or large blender, whirl half of the soup until it is smooth, 2 cups at a time. return to pot with other half of soup. add meat. taste and adjust salt and pepper, if necessary. serve.