Lentil Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb. green lentils
2 medium onions, diced or sliced
1/4 lb. bacon, diced (or diced ham steak or diced ham off ham bone)
3 medium carrots, diced or sliced
2 qt. water
2 stalks celery, diced
1 large potato, pared and grated (medium)
1/2 tsp. thyme leaves (fresh if you have)
2 bay leaves
1 ham bone
salt and pepper to taste
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice

Preparation

Soak green lentils in cold water to cover overnight.
Rinse well and drain.
In stockpot, saute onions and bacon.
Add carrots.
Saute until golden; do not overcook.
Add water, drained lentils, celery, potato, thyme leaves, bay leaves, ham bone and salt and pepper.
Simmer, covered, for 3 hours.
Remove ham bone and remove any remaining meat.
Add fresh lemon juice just before serving.
Serve with Cottage Cheese Dill Bread.
This soup freezes well.