THICK LENTIL SOUP

Thick Lentil Soup image

Number Of Ingredients 14

6 cups water
8 ounces lentils (about 1 1/4 cups), rinsed
Hambone and trimmings or 1 pound smoked pork hocks
1 onion medium chopped
1 clove garlic minced
1 (16-ounce) can tomato peeled cut up and juice reserved
2 carrots medium, shredded
2 ribs celery chopped
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
2 sausages fully cooked smoked ( 1/2 lb. total), sliced 1-inch thick (optional)
1/2 cup sharp cheddar cheese shredded (about 2 oz.)
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
black pepper
Tomato juice (optional)

Steps:

Place water, lentils, hambone, onion, and garlic in a large kettle. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 1 hour.Add tomatoes with juice, carrots, celery, and vinegar. Cover and simmer 2 hours.Remove bones and meat. Cut meat from bones dice and return meat to soup. Add optional sausages, cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and pepper to taste. Simmer 15 minutes longer.If soup becomes too thick, thin with optional tomato juice.

Nutrition Facts : Nutritional Facts Serves