Hearty Lentil Soup

yield: Makes about 3 1/2 quarts

Here is an almost effortless soup. Everything goes into the pot at once, and the finished dish is just the thing on a cold winter day.

ingredients

• 1/2 cooked ham
• 1 pound lentils (about 2 1/2 cups), picked over and rinsed
• 1/2 pound mushrooms, chopped (about 3 1/2 cups)
• 3 onions, chopped coarse
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 1 bay leaf
• 3 1/2 cups beef broth
• 8 cups water

preparation

In a 6- to 8-quart kettle combine all ingredients and simmer soup, covered partially, stirring occasionally, 1 1/2 hours. Discard bay leaf and cinnamon stick. Chop meat and stir into soup.

Mandy's Review - GOOD!