Italian lentil soup

Italian lentil soup

Ingredients/Components

• water - 2 qt
• salt and pepper to taste - 1 item
• olive oil - 1/4 c
• dried oregano - 1/2 tsp
• medium onion, chopped - 1 item
• grated Parmesan or Romano cheese - 1 item
• tomato puree - 1 c
• dried lentils - 2 c
• small pasta - 3/4 c
• meaty ham bone - 1 item
• bunch Italian parsley - 1 item
• to 5 large garlic cloves - 4 item

How to make italian lentil soup:

Place lentils, ham bone, onion and water in large stockpot and bring to a boil over medium heat. Turn off heat, cover pot and soak 1 hour. Bring to a second boil and simmer for 1 hour or until lentils are tender. Remove ham bone and cut off chunks of meat , toss into pot and discard the bone. Chop garlic and parsley together and add with tomato puree, olive oil and oregano to the pot. Simmer on low for 30 minutes.

In separate pot, boil the pasta in salted water until it is al dente. Drain pasta and stir into the soup after 30 minutes simmering time is up. Season the soup with salt and pepper. Serve in large bowls with grated cheese.

Recipe categories: Soups & stews, Beans, Lentil.