Italian Lentil Soup

 Ingredients

2 cups dried lentils

26-28 oz can chopped Italian tomatoes

4  cups chicken or vege5able broth 

1/2 a medium onion, diced

1 carrot. diced

1 clove garlic, chopped 

1 small green bell pepper, diced

1 celery stalk, diced

1 tablespoon Tomato paste

1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning 

Salt and pepper to taste 

Extra Virgin olive oil.

Directions 

Rinse the lentils thoroughly under running water. 

Hear ¼ cup oil in a large saucepan 

Sauté the vegetables for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste. Cook for 2 minutes.

Add lentils and sauté for another 2 minutes, stirring often. Add broth, tomatoes, and Italian seasoning. Stir well. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat to low.

Cook, covered, for 1 1/2  to 2 hours, depending on the type of lentils you use. Taste the soup for doneness after 1 hour. Add salt and pepper to taste toward the end of the cooking time.

Serve the lentil soup with Italian bread.