Pasta, Tomato And Lentil Soup

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 40 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 onions, finely chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
• 110 g bacon, rind removed and finely chopped
• 225 g green lentils or 225 g brown lentils
• 4 ripe tomatoes, skin removed,chopped
• 1 (400 g) can chopped tomatoes
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 -4 sprigs thyme
• 1 3/4 liters chicken stock
• 225 g macaroni or 225 g other short pasta
• 3 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• parmesan cheese, to serve

Recipe

• 1 heat oil in large heavy bottomed casserole.
• 2 add onion, garlic, celery and bacon.
• 3 cook stirring over low heat for 10-15 minutes until vegetables soften.
• 4 add lentils and stir well to coat in oil.
• 5 add fresh and canned tomatoes.
• 6 bring to boil.
• 7 add bay leaves, thyme and stock.
• 8 simmer for about 40- 60 minutes or until the lentils are cooked.
• 9 cook the pasta in boiling water until al dente, drain.
• 10 serve the soup in bowls, garnish with parsley and sprinkle with parmesan.