Harvest Vegetable Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 ounce butter
1 medium onion, peeled and sliced
4 -6 medium carrots, peeled and sliced
1 small green pepper, seeded and chopped
2 medium potatoes, peeled and diced
2 cups water
1/2 cup dry green lentils
1 1/2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1 cup cheddar cheese, grated
4 tablespoons croutons (to garnish) (optional)

Preparation

Melt butter in a big heavy saucepan and fry onion for a few minutes, then add carrots and green pepper and fry until softened.
Add 2 cups water, the potatoes and the lentils, season with salt and pepper and simmer for about 30 minutes, until potatoes and lentils are cooked.
Mix the flour with a little of the milk and gradually blend in the rest of the milk.
Stir well into the soup until it thickens.
Simmer for 5 minutes then stir in 3/4 of the cheese.
Pour into a serving dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
Garnish with croutons if using.