BEST Lentil Soup!

Lentil Soup

This recipe is a family favorite, and is full of flavor. TheWeeLaddie eats it up and asks for more! We make this delicious soup all fall and winter long, with lentils grown on our own farm! Can't beat the taste of something you produced yourself!  The hot dogs give this soup a little something different and make it kid-friendly!

2 C. dry lentils

2½  qt. water
1½  tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
1 bay leaf
2 whole cloves
Dash of cayenne
1 ham bone
¼ C. butter
1 lg. carrot, chopped
1 lg. onion, chopped
¾ C. celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, pressed
6-8 sliced hot dogs (can substitute diced ham or sausage)
Garnish with fresh parsley and parmesan

Rinse dry lentils well.  Simmer everything together except ham and garnish, until the lentils are soft and the whole soup looks creamy (several hours).  I also add 2 chicken boullion cubes, which adds lots of flavor and sodium - so omit the salt.  You may put this into the crock pot in the morning on high for 1 hour, then set to low for the whole day.  2 hours before serving, add hot dogs or ham, and simmer.  Garnish with parsley and parmesan.  You can double this; it freezes great.