Isn’t it funny how there are foods we had as kids we hated, and now as adults, love.  Lentil Soup is one of those meals for me.  I remember how disappointed I was when I would come home from school, and there was a large pot of lentil soup cooking on the stove.  My family was never a “you must clean your plate” family.  Thank goodness.  But, we were encouraged ever so slightly, in that italian way {guilt} to eat our dinner.

Now, during Autumn and Winter, Lentil Soup is one of my favorite meals to eat and cook.  It makes your tummy all warm inside, cost pennies, and is one of the healthiest meals around.

 I don’t want to go on and on about the health benefits but, here are just a few, for the people who don’t know about this magical bean they call they Lentil.

1. Lentils contain a cholesterol-lowering fiber
2. Consists of High fiber content which prevents blood sugar levels from rising rapidly after a meal
3. Contains 6 important minerals and 2 B-vitamins and protein, with almost no fat

Wow, now I do sound like my mother.  It’s amazing how that kicks in once you have children!

Please give this recipe a try.  I promise, no guilt!

Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 small onion, diced

1 large carrot, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

1 garlic clove. diced

1 16 oz bag of lentils

1 tablespoon pepper

1 tablespoon dried basil

1/4 teaspoon turmeric

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

2  14.5 oz cans of stewed tomatoes

2  10.5 oz cans of Campbell’s Beef Broth

4  cans of water, {stewed tomatoes cans} + more if needed

Fresh Basil, optional

Directions

1. Check for tiny stones and rinse lentils in a colander, set aside.

2. In a large pot add olive oil, onion, carrot, celery and garlic cook on medium heat until onions are translucent.

3. Add lentils and saute for 5 minutes.

4. Add pepper, dried basil, turmeric and chili powder, saute for 5 minutes.

5 Add stewed tomatoes and 4 cans of water, let simmer on medium for approx. 45 minutes.

6. Add Campbell’s beef broth, simmer for another 60 minutes.

7. Top with fresh basil.

Lentil Soup is a perfect recipe to make mid day and have simmering on your stove all afternoon!

*check through bag of lentils, prior to adding to the pot, to make sure there are no little stones.

*continue to add water during simmering, if liquid level gets to low.

*add the spices you like, like with every recipe, taylor it to your tastes.

Enjoy!