by Aiano Nakagawa
AFO staff

What you'll need:

• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 2 zucchinis
• 6 - 10 mushrooms
• 6 cloves crushed garlic
• 2-3 bay leaves
• 12 oz bacon (optional)
• 1 lb lentils, rinsed
• 1 quart veggie or chicken broth
• 1/2 quart water
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1, 28 oz can, diced tomatoes

Instructions:

1. rinse and prep veggies (and bacon)
2. Heat large pot and add bacon
3. Once bacon is browned, add garlic and saute for 2 min
4. Add all veggies and a pinch of salt, cook till translucent (apporox. 7 min)
5. Add the lentils, tomatoes, broth, water turmeric, cumin and bay leaves, stir to combine
6. Cook on high and bring just to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and cook on a low simmer until lentils are tender, approximately 45 min.
7. Enjoy! Add salt and pepper to taste.