Italian Lentil Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

8 oz. dry lentils
2 qt. water
1 c. finely sliced carrots
1/2 c. diced celery, optional
1/4 c. olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
1 can (15 oz.) tomato sauce
marjoram to taste
cooked rice, noodles or broken spaghetti

Preparation

In large kettle, boil lentils in water for 1/2 hour.
Add carrots, celery, oil, salt and pepper.
Continue boiling slowly for 2 to 3 hours, depending on thickness desired.
During last 1/2 hour, add tomato sauce, marjoram, rice, noodles or spaghetti.