Lentil Soup

Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

4 cloves garlic

1 yellow onion

4 carrots

4 stalks celery

3 tablespoons olive oil

2 cups lentils

1 tablespoons cumin

2 qt. vegetable broth

1 bay leaf

2 whole sprigs thyme

Salt and pepper to taste

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Directions:

Set a large dry dutch oven over medium heat and drop in the garlic cloves with their peels still on.  Let them toast for a few minutes on each side, until the skins are browned and fragrant, and set aside.

Roughly chop the onion, carrots, and celery.  Add the olive oil to the dutch oven and sauté until browned and tender.

Peel and smash up the garlic and add it back to the pot along with the lentils and cumin.  Cook for a few seconds until the lentils are nicely coated in oil.  Empty the broth into the pot and add the Bay leaf and whole sprigs of thyme.  Simmer until the lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.  Fish out the bay leaf and thyme.

Season with salt and pepper and serve piping hot.  We like the soup on its own but it's kind of amazing with a little extra.  Stir in some spinach or add a little diced ham and definitely serve it with a big side of hearty whole grain bread or cheesy croutons.