Lentil Soup

So continuing in the theme of cheap eats, Lentil Soup is a natural choice- it's easy on the wallet, incredibly hearty and pretty healthy for you as well. One bowl of this will make for one heck of a meal.

Lentil Soup

1 onion, diced small
2 stalks celery, diced small
3 medium-sized carrots, diced small
4 cloves of garlic, minced

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes, drained and rinsed
1/2 tsp cumin
salt and pepper to taste
2 quarts chicken stock
1 lb lentils, picked through and rinsed

Set a large pot over medium heat with about 2 tbsp olive oil in it. Once the oil and pan are warm add the mirepoix, saving the garlic fora bit. Sweat the veggies for about 5 minutes and add the garlic, continue sweating until the onion is translucent, about 7 minutes. Once that's done, add the tomatoes, spices, chicken stock and lentils. Turn the heat up and get it just to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium low and let it cook for about 45 minutes. BAM, done... easy as pie.

mmmm pie... mmmm lentil soup (a picture may come tomorrow... I should note that cooked, pureed green lentils do not make an appetizing-looking soup, but they do make a damned good soup).