Lentil Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 onion, chopped
1/4 cup olive oil
2 carrots, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon drid basil
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
2 cups dried lentils
8 cups water
1/2 cup spinach, rinsed & thinly sliced
2 tablespoons vinegar
salt
ground black pepper

Preparation

in a large soup pot, heat oil over med heat. add onions, celery and carrots; cook and stir til onions are tender. stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano, and basil; cook for 2 minutes. stir in lentils, add water and tomatoes. bring to a boil. reduce heat, simmer for at least 1 hour. when ready to serve stir in spinach, and cook til it wilts. stir in vinegar, and season to taste with salt and pepper and more vinegar if desired.
* you can yop it off with a dollop of low-fat cheese or sour cream just before serving.