Green Lentil Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 4 slices bacon, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 2 small bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 1/4 cups dry green lentils, rinsed
• 10 cups chicken stock (approx.)
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes, with juice
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper

Recipe

• 1 in a big soup pot, saute bacon over medium heat until browned and crispy; about 5 minutes.
• 2 remove with a slotted spoon to a plate lined with paper towels; set aside.
• 3 add in garlic, celery, onion, carrot, bay leaves, and thyme to the pot; saute until vegetables are softened, about 6 minutes.
• 4 add in lentils, stock, and tomatoes w/ juice; bring to a boil.
• 5 decrease heat and simmer until lentils are tender, about 45 minutes.
• 6 thin with a little more stock, if needed, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until hot.
• 7 discard bay leaves; season to taste with salt and pepper.
• 8 ladle into heated bowls and garnish with reserved bacon.