Anita's Awesome Lentil Soup

Author: Anita

Prep time: 30 mins

Cook time: 3 hours

Total time: 3 hours 30 mins

Serves: 8 servings

Ingredients

1 tbsp butter

12 oz smoked ham, cut into ¼-inch dice (1 generous cup)

8 cups beef stock

1 pound lentils

½ tsp dried thyme

½ tsp dried sage

½ tsp dried oregano

¼ cup olive oil

2 cups chopped onions, about 2 medium

2 cups diced carrots, about 2 to 3 medium

1 medium red bell pepper, diced

2 large garlic cloves, minced

1 6-oz can tomato paste

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

1 cup diced mild or medium hot green chiles, divided

3 tbsp unsalted butter

3 tbsp all purpose flour

Salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions

Melt 1 tbsp butter in a skillet over medium heat. Add ham and cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Dump into slow cooker.

Heat olive oil in heavy skillet over medium heat. Add onions, carrots and bell pepper. Stir until vegetables begin to soften, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and cook 2 minutes.

Place ham and vegetables in slow cooker and add 6 cups beef stock, lentils, and spices. Cover and and cook on high setting for 1 hour. Reduce heat to low and let simmer another hour.

In a blender, blend 1 cup of stock with ½ cup green chiles, tomato paste, and vinegar; set aside.

In the meantime, wipe out skillet. Add 3 tbsp butter and melt over medium-low heat. Add flour and stir until light brown, about 5 minutes.

Whisk in 1 cup stock. Bring to boil gradually, whisking constantly, then turn heat to low and stir in the stock, chile, tomato paste, and vinegar mixture.. Blend well, then stir into soup in slow cooker. Add remaining ½ cup diced green chiles.

Reduce heat, cover and simmer in slow cooker another hour.

Thin soup to desired consistency with stock. Season with salt and generous amount of pepper to taste.

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