GF Lentil Soup, Central American-Style

Hello! :)  As promised on my Facebook page, here is the recipe for my GF Lentil Soup, Central American-style. We served it with homemade fresh tortillas! :) Happy Cooking!

GF Lentil Soup- Central American Style:

 Ingredients:

1lb bag of Lentils (Naturally GF)

2 cloves of garlic

Half of one small onion, diced

2tbsp finely chopped Cilantro

1tbsp Sweet/Mild Pepper, minced

1tbsp Bell Pepper, minced

1 stick of Celery, coarsely chopped

2 large Carrots, diced

1 Large Russet potato, cubed

5 strips of GF Turkey Bacon (I like the Applegate brand)

1 Bay Leaf

1/4tsp Dry Oregano

Pinch of salt/pepper to taste

1/2tsp E.V. Olive Oil

Lentil Prep:

Soak them for about 1 hour prior to cooking, drain, and rinse, releasing/discarding the outer shell of the lentils.

Method:

In a Dutch Oven, heat oil on medium and sauté the bacon until lightly browned, add garlic, onions, peppers, celery, cilantro and make a Sofrito.*  Add lentils and immediately cover with water lower heat.  Drop in the bay leaf.  Cook covered, until lentils are tender, about 1 hour, 15 minutes.  After this time has elapsed, add remaining vegetables and cook for another 15 minutes or until potatoes and carrots are cooked through. 

*A Sofrito is a method of cooking used often in Latin American/Caribbean cuisine, where all the seasonings/aromatics are cooked down together in a sauté prior to cooking meal.  

ENJOY!

-Evey