lentil stew

crockpot lentil soup


2 cups dried lentils
8 c chicken broth
1/2-1 pckg bacon (i used a whole pckg of turkey bacon, fried it up and then chopped it into bite sized pieces and dumped it into the pot- it had a lot of bacon flavor but we liked it)
1 chopped onion
1 c sliced celery
1 1/2 c sliced carrots
parsley
3 crushed garlic cloves
black pepper
oregano
2 bay leaves
marjoram
sage
1 tsp salt (if you use a lot of bacon don't put any salt in- just taste before you add salt)
1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
2 tbsp wine vinegar

rinse lentils. place in cooker. add 8 cups broth and remaining ingredients except tomatoes and vinegar. cook on low for 8-10 hrs. add tomatoes and vinegar and cook 15 minutes longer until hot. add cheese on top if you wish.


this has a complex taste and was interesting. maybe i put too much bacon in it. next time i'd probably only do 1/2 package bacon. i cooked it 10 hours and i think that was good. it could have even gone longer except the veggies will be softer. makes a pile o' food so freeze it for later.