Menu Monday (2) Red Lentil & Veg. Soup

This is a OMG good soup.                                                                                 
 It's high in fiber, easy and good for you!!
 It's a meal in a bowl, more of a stewp.


Red Lentil and Vegetable Soup (From Good Housekeeping)                              serves 4
                                                                                                                                 total time 30mins
Ingredients:

 1 Tblsp. Olive oil
4 medium carrots (chopped)
2 stalk celery (chopped)
1 small onion (chopped)
1 tsp ground cumin
1 can (14 1/ 2oz _ diced tomatoes
1 can (14 1/2 oz) veg. broth (or chicken)
1 cup dried red lentils
1/4 tsp salt
1/8 tsp ground black pepper
1 bag baby spinach

Directions
(1) pour yourself a glass of wine (optional)
(2) In 4qt. saucepan, heat oil on medium until hot.  Add carrot, celery and onion, and cook 6 to 8 mins. or until lightly browned and tender.  Stir in cumin: cook 1 minute.

(3) Add tomatoes, broth , lentils, 2 cups water, salt, and pepper: cover and heat to boiling on high.   Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 8 to 10 minutes or until lentils are tender.  Stir in spinach, Makes about 7 1/2 cups.

Ok I must confess, I added the celery on my own. It added more fiber and flavor, so I don't fell bad about my taking this recipe to the edge! I also used chicken broth instead of vegetable broth. I would definitely make this soup again.This was a quick and easy recipe, heart healthy as well as inexpensive.  I served it with a slice of toasted Italian bread.

Eat healthy!