Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• 1 T oil

• 1 T butter

• 1 small to medium onion

• 2 large stalks of celery

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 carrots

• 1/2 T dried basil

• 1/2 T dried oregano

• 1/2 T dried italian seasonings*

• 1/5 c dried red lentils**

• 5-6 c water or broth

• Salt and Pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a soup pot over medium high heat, add oil and butter (can use just one if you prefer). Add celery, onion, carrot and garlic and cook for 5-7 minutes or until they start to soften and change color.

2. Add seasonings, lentils and water or broth. Start with 5 C of liquid and add if soup becomes too thick while cooking. Add 1/2 t salt and a few dashes of pepper. Allow to simmer for about 25-30 minutes or until lentils are done cooking and are soft.

3. If you would like a smoother consistency, you can put half of the soup in a blender and mix until smooth and add it back in to the pot.

4. Adjust salt and pepper more and then enjoy!

*If you don't have italian seasoning you could omit, or add more of the other seasonings

**You can use any lentils, green, french, or red. Red has such a wonderful flavor but they're all different. You can even do a blend of equal amounts of each.