Lentil Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 (16 oz.) pkg. lentils
1 carrot, diced
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
1 bay leaf
2 or 3 chicken bouillon cubes or 2 to 3 Tbsp. instant broth
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
other spices (such as fines herbes or parsley flakes)
1 ham hock
1/2 lb. Italian sausage, cut into small pieces

Preparation

Wash lentils as directed on package.
Place in kettle and cover with ample water; let stand overnight.
Drain and discard the soaking water.
Place lentils, ham hock, carrot, celery and onion in crock-pot
Cover lentils and ham hock with water and add the bouillon cubes or instant broth.
Stir until dissolved.
Add sausage, bay leaf and spices to taste.
Cover and cook in crock-pot approximately 3 to 4 hours.
When soup is almost ready, remove ham hock and cut into small pieces.
Return pieces to soup.