Italian Recipe - Italian Lentil Soup

Here's an Italian recipe that will warm the whole family.  With the snow falling, and winter approaching fast, a great Italian bowl of soup is a sure hit after school or a long day at work.  Give this one a try!

Ingredients

1 pound of dried brown lentils 

1 large yellow onion, chopped 

1 slice of pancetta, chopped 

1 15oz can of diced tomatoes 

2 sprigs of fresh rosemary 

2 stalks of celery, chopped 

2 carrots, chopped 

3 cloves of garlic, chopped 

2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil 

1 tsp of dried thyme 

2 bay leaves 

6 cups of vegetable stock 

1 pound of spinach or escarole 

1/2 tsp of salt 

½ tsp of fresh ground black pepper 

1 pound of pasta 

Italian Cooking 

1. In a large pot sauté the pancetta in the olive oil until lightly brown. 
   
2. Add the garlic, onions, carrots and celery for 2 minutes until tender. 
   
3. Add the lentils, thyme, rosemary and bay leaves. 
   
4. Drizzle with a little more olive oil and cook for 2 more minutes. 
   
5. Season with salt and pepper. 
   
6. Add the broth and tomatoes and bring to a boil. 
   
7. Reduce the heat and simmer for about an hour. 
   
8. Add the spinach or escarole for about 10 more minutes until leaves are wilted. 
   
9. Bring 4 quarts of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.  About 8 minutes. 
   
10. Remove the bay leaves and the rosemary from the soup before serving. 
    
11. Add the pasta to a bowl and ladle the soup on top.
    

This Italian recipe serves about 8 people.  But if your family is anything like mine, there is no way they'll only have one serving.  Cook up this easy recipe, and watch your whole family warm up and light up this winter.