1-hour Smoky Ham And Lentil Soup

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 50 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 1 lb dry lentils, rinsed
• 6 -8 ounces smoked ham, diced
• 10 cups water
• 1 1/2 tablespoons ham soup base or 3 ham bouillon cubes
• 3/4 cup celery, diced
• 3/4 cup onion, diced
• 3/4 cup carrot, diced
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon oregano flakes
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• tabasco sauce, a few drops (optional)
• liquid smoke, a few drops (optional)

Recipe

• 1 in a stock pot, combine lentils, ham, water and base/bouillon and bring to a boil.
• 2 reduce heat; simmer until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
• 3 add remaining ingredients; simmer until veggies are tender, about 20 minutes.
• 4 if you wish to puree: remove 3 cups of lentils, broth and veggies (keep diced ham in soup pot); puree, return to soup and stir.
• 5 for the crockpot: place all ingredients in a slow cooker and cook on low for about 10 hours; follow step #4 prior to serving.