Lentil Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. pkg. lentils
3 or 4 ham hocks
1 onion, chopped
3 celery stems, chopped
1 tsp. parsley flakes
3 bay leaves (remove later)
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
1 (28 oz.) can Ready-Cut peeled tomatoes

Preparation

Wash lentils, put in large pot with water 2-inches over the lentils.
When it starts to boil, add ham hocks, onion, celery, parsley flakes, bay leaves, bell pepper, salt and pepper.
Bring to a boil, then simmer about 1 hour.
Add tomatoes and cook for 1/2 hour more.
Remove ham hocks, cut the meat off and return it to the lentil mixture.
Serves 8.
Freezes well.