Farmer Boy Recipe - Lentil Soup

Lentils are very small legumes, like beans, but you don't have to pre-soak them as with beans.  They may be small, but, WOW, they pack a nutritional punch!  They are a very good source of cholesterol-lowing fiber.  They are also beneficial in keeping blood sugar levels from spiking after a meal.  They provide your body with 6 minerals, two B-vitamins, and protein - all with virtually no fat.  It was a lentil porriage that Jacob traded to Esau! (Must have been pretty tasty!)  So they have been around for a long time!  But one word of warning: if you are susceptible to "gout", you'll probably not want to eat too many - they could produce a chemical which would cause an excess of uric acid.   But if you're not troubled by gout, don't pass up the opportunity to partake of this great tasting soup!
 

Farmer Boy Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 3 Tablespoons of olive oil
• 3 carrots (diced)
• 1 large onion (diced)
• 3 ribs of celery (diced)
• 4 slices of bacon (diced)
• 3 cloves of garlic (minced)
• 8 Cups of water
• 2 Cups of lentils (any color)
• 1 can of tomatoes (diced)
• 1 large potato (peeled & diced)
• 2 Cups of fresh greens (rough chopped)
• 1 teaspoon of dried thyme
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons of balsamic vinegar

Directions: Add the oil to a large pot.  Place the carrots, onion, celery, bacon and garlic in the pot and heat over medium heat to soften up the vegetables and cook the bacon.  Put the lentils, tomatoes, potato, and thyme into the pot and cover with the water.  Bring to a boil.  Turn the heat down and simmer for about 45 minutes.  Add the greens and the vinegar.  Cook for another 10 minutes, or till the greens are limp.  You're ready to go!

The lentils pick up all the great flavors of whatever they are cooked in - so experiment & have fun making lentils in you other dishes!

If you try this soup, please get back here an leave a comment on how it came out.  Thanks.  The Old Man in the Bib Overalls

L'chei-im! (a toast, to life!)