Lentil And Split Pea Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 slices bacon, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1/2 cup chopped leek (white and pale green parts only)
1 clove garlic, minced
6 cups low sodium chicken broth
1/2 cup lentils
1/2 cup split peas
1 medium potato, peeled,grated
1 smoked ham hock
1/3 cup chopped celery & leaves
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons dry red wine

Preparation

Saute bacon in large saucepan over medium-high heat until fat is rendered, about 4 minutes; remove bacon; drain off all but 1 1/2 tblsps of fat; add onion, carrot, leek and garlic and saute until light brown, about 10 minutes; add broth, lentils, split peas, potato, ham hock, celery, thyme and bay leaf; bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer until lentils and split peas are tender, about 45 minutes; stir in red wine and simmer 5 minutes longer; discard bay leaf; remove ham hock from soup and remove any meat attached to bone; cube meat and return to soup along with chopped up bacon; season to taste with salt and pepper.
Freezer Note: Making up a double batch of soup is economical of energy and time - you'll do slightly more work now, use the same amount of energy to cook, and save yourself time and energy later on, when you want a quick, nutritious dinner. Just defrost in microwave, reheat well and serve