Super Yummy Beefy Lentil Soup

After reading a bunch of recipes for Lentil Soup, I was very very motivated. I'm a huge Soup Freak so naturally I made a huge batch. It yielded more than enough for 15 hungry people... yay me!!

By the way, it may seem like a lot but you don't have to follow the portions exactly.

Also, for those on the Slow Carb Diet, just omit the ingredients not allowed and its still yummy.

I had about 4 cups at about 8pm and am surprisingly satisfied, not overfull, and am missing my usual pre-bedtime hunger pangs. YEAY!!

So here goes...
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Ingredients

* 2 onions, chopped
* 1/4 cup avocado oil
* 3 carrots, diced
* 2 stalks celery, chopped
* 5 cloves garlic, crushed
* 1 Tablespoon dried oregano
* 1 Tablespoon dried rosemary
* 1 Tablespoon dried thyme
* 3 bay leaves
* 1 (14.5 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
* 3 cups dry lentils
++* 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
* 1 quart Beef Stock
* 1 quart Water
* 3 cups of spinach, rinsed and thinly sliced (added in the end)
++* pesto (as garnish)
++* parmesan cheese (as garnish)
* salt to taste
* ground black pepper to taste

Method:
Heat half of the oil over high heat.
Brown the meat evenly (2 to 3 batches depending on the size of the pot).
Remove the meat and add the rest of the oil.
Add the carrots, onions, and celery to the pot.
Add the thyme, rosemary, oregano and bay leaves to the vegetables.
Cook until herbs are aromatic.
Return the meat to the pot.
Add the stock to the mixture.
Bring to a boil. Cover and reduce to a simmer and cook for 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
Add Balsamic Vinegar.
Add salt and pepper to desired taste.
* At this point, the soup can be stored in containers after cooling and kept in freezer for no more than 2 weeks (for freshness factor) or a month.

To Serve:
1/4 cup Spinach
2 Tablespoons of Crushed Tomatoes
2 cups of Soup

Add soup to a medium pot. Bring to a boil. Add spinach and tomatoes.
Reduce to a simmer. Stir gently to cook the vegetables.
Remove from fire. Pour into soup bowl.
Garnish with 1/4 teaspoon of pesto and some parmesan cheese and a dash of hot sauce.

Enjoy!!

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++ I omitted those from my bowl but added them to my Dad's (he thought his tasted better than mine but after he added 1/4 teaspoon of Balsamic Vinegar and quite a bit of Crushed Black Pepper).