Beef Lentil Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb lean ground beef
1 quart water
1 cup dried lentils, rinsed
2 cups cabbage, chopped
1 cup carrot, sliced
1 cup celery, sliced
1 cup onion, chopped
1/2 cup green pepper, chopped
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon thyme
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon salt (optional)
2 beef bouillon cubes (optional)
10 ounces frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

Preparation

In a large pot, brown ground beef and drain fat.
Add water,lentils, cabbage,carrots, celery,onion, green pepper, pepper, thyme and bay leaf. Add salt and bouillon cubes if using.
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 1 - 1 1/2 hours or until lentils and vegetables are tender.
Add spinach and heat through. Remove bay leaf.