Italian Lentil Soup

Total Time: 9 hrs Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 8 hrs 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 3 cups dried brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
• 7 cups water or 7 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 2 celery ribs, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons dry red wine
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons light molasses or 1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• chopped green onion
• red wine vinegar

Recipe

• 1 add the lentils and water to a slow cooker; cover and cook on low for 3-4 hours.
• 2 in a skillet over medium heat, let the oil and butter heat together until the butter melts.
• 3 add in the onion, celery, and carrots; stir/saute 5 minutes or until just softened.
• 4 add in the garlic; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes.
• 5 stir into the partially cooked lentils; cover and continue to cook on low for another 3-4 hours.
• 6 stir in the wine, lemon juice, and molasses; season with salt and plenty of fresh black pepper.
• 7 add water or broth to thin the soup if it is too thick.
• 8 cover and continue to cook on low for another 30 minutes.
• 9 ladle into bowls; serve hot topped with chopped green onion and a drizzle of vinegar.