Lentil Soup

Ingredients:

• Brown Lentils - 1cup
• Carrots -2 ( diced or sliced)
• Celery - 2 stalks ( sliced )
• Onion - 1 small ( chopped )
• Garlic Cloves - 2 ( minced )
• Vegetable Broth - 5 cups
• Salt and Pepper - to taste
• Olive Oil or Butter - 2 tbsp
• Bay Leaf- 1
• Any Italian Herb( oregano or thyme or parsley etc ) - 1/4 tsp

Directions: 

• Heat the oil or butter in a saucepan. Add bay leaf. Saute chopped onions and minced garlic.
• Add broth and bring it to boil.
• Add celery,carrots and lentils. Cook covered till lentils are done and the veggies are soft.
• Add salt, pepper and Italian herb of your choice. 
• Serve hot with garlic bread or crackers.

Note : 

• You can add other vegetables of your choice, like bell peppers, tomatoes etc.
• You can add few drops of lemon juice just before serving. Alternatively, you can add a splash of vinegar to the soup.
• You can adjust the amount of broth depending on your preference, thick or runny.