Lentil Soup Italiano

Total Time: 1 hr 15 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 3 cups water
• 2 cups brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 large onion, peeled and coarsely chopped
• 2 large garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 4 celery ribs, cut into 1-inch slices
• 2 large carrots, chunked
• 1/4 lb mushroom, sliced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• sea salt, to taste

Recipe

• 1 in a large soup pot, combine all ingredients except tomato paste, vinegar, and salt.
• 2 bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, until the lentils are tender, 35 to 40 minutes.
• 3 remove the bay leaves.
• 4 dissolve the tomato paste in a cup of the soup, and stir this mixture back into the pot.
• 5 stir in enough vinegar to perk up the flavors.
• 6 add salt to taste, if needed.
• 7 simmer for 2 to 3 minutes.