Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 5 cups chicken broth
• 3 cups water
• 2 ½ cups lentils, rinsed (I like the yellow or red lentils)
• ½ cup tomato puree or sauce
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 rib celery, chopped
• 1 carrot, diced (optional)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced or 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. basil
• ½ tsp. oregano
• ¼ tsp. thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a heavy kettle or Dutch oven, combine broth, water, lentils, and tomato.
2. Add carrots, onion, celery, garlic, basil, oregano, thyme and bay leaf.
3. Bring liquid to a boil.
4. Simmer covered, stirring occasionally, 45 to 55 minutes.
5. Stir in salt and pepper.
6. Discard bay leaf.

Makes 8 servings.