Name: Hearty Lentil Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 60 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 tbsp olive oil; 1 medium onion, chopped; 2 medium carrots, diced; 2 stalks celery, diced; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1.5 cup brown or green lentils, rinsed; 6 cup vegetable broth; 1 14.5 oz can diced tomatoes, undrained; 1 tsp dried thyme; 1 null bay leaf; null salt to taste; null black pepper to taste; 2 cup fresh spinach (optional)

1. Heat olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, carrots, and celery and cook for 5-7 minutes until softened. 2. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant. 3. Stir in rinsed lentils, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, dried thyme, and bay leaf. 4. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30-40 minutes, or until lentils are tender. 5. Remove bay leaf. Stir in fresh spinach (if using) and cook until wilted. 6. Season with salt and pepper to taste. 7. Serve hot.

Instructions