Lentil Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 16 oz. pkg. Lentils
6 c. cold water
leftover ham and bone
1 med. onion
2 stalks celery
1 whole clove garlic
1 bay leaf
2 carrots
dash of pepper
(any leftover veg. may be used also)

Preparation

Cover lentils with water and let soak overnight.
In morning, pour off and measure water, adding enough to make 6 cups if necessary.
Combine all ingredients in kettle.
Cover and simmer 2 hours or until lentils are soft.
Remove ham bone.
Add additional seasonings if desired.
Serve with croutons, crackers.
If soup is too thick, thin with milk, bouillon cube dissolved in water, or vegetable stock. If too thin, thicken slightly with flour and water paste.