French Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil
• 200 g Mexican style diced tomatoes
• 250 g brown lentils
• 4 cups vegetable broth
• 1 cup carrots, chopped
• 1 cup celery. chopped
• 3 cloves garlic
• 2 cups onion, chopped

Directions

1. Heat oil in heavy large saucepan over medium–high heat.
2. Add onions, celery, carrots, and garlic; sauté until vegetables begin to brown, about 15 minutes.
3. Add 4 cups broth, lentils, and tomatoes with juice and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium–low, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes.
4. Transfer 2 cups soup (mostly solids) to blender and puree until smooth.
5. Return puree to soup in pan; thin soup with more broth by 1/4 cupfuls, if too thick. Season with salt, pepper, and a splash of vinegar, if desired.
6. Ladle soup into bowls. Garnish with celery leaves.