Lentil Soup

Ingredients

1 Med. Onion or half of a large one
Several Carrots depending on taste
*celery is always yummy too
About a cup or two of Lentils
*potatoes
mushrooms
kale
-pretty much any veggies that you like to eat

add to taste
garlic- fresh or powdered or both
salt
powdered cumin
basil
ginger- I prefer fresh but powdered also works fine
spices can be changed according to preference

Olive oil
Vegetable stock or water

Start by Sauteing the onions with fresh garlic, and ginger in olive oil. Then add any of the hard vegetables (potatoes, carrots, celery, etc.), and the rest of the spices. Saute together for five to ten minuets then add the lentils, continue to saute for a couple of minuets before adding water, or even better stock if you have that at hand. Let soup simmer for about 45 minuets adding more stock or water as necessary. Also add more spices if necessary, adding stock or water dilutes the initial added spices, this is where I would use powdered garlic. Be sure to add the spices earlier than later so that they have time to infuse their flavor. About fifteen minuets before you take the soup off add soft veggies (mushrooms, kale, Etc.). They will get mushy if you put them in to early. For garnishes feta cheese is my favorite, you could also use pine nuts, apple or whatever you think will taste the best.

*Mike these items were not in the soup that you tasted but could be easily added