Reply #4: My kids, 10 and 13, ASK for my lentil soup.....

[Porcupine]

Get the Trader Joes black lentils if you can. Other wise a mix of 2/3 green or brown to 1/3 red is nice.

1.5 cups lentils
1 12 oz can diced tomatoes
1 1/4 lb italian sausage (vegetarians substitute TVP, olive oil and 1/2 tsp caraway seed)
4 stalks celery chopped
1/2 bunch Kale(the queen of the soup pot)
3 medium carrots chopped
2 medium onions diced
5 1/2 cups water or 1/2 stock if available
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp dried thyme or 1 T fresh chopped
black pepper

brown sausage, then add celery and onion and cook medium heat until carmalized stirring frequently. Throw in everything else but the kale. Simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Chop the kale and throw that in. Simmer another 1/2 hour. You may need to add liqud to thin. Serve with good bread and real butter