Ham And Lentil Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
2 stalks celery, trimmed and chopped
2 cups brown lentils
1 lb ham hock
2 cloves garlic, peeled
2 None bay leaves
None None Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley

Preparation

Heat oil in a large saucepan on medium-high heat. Cook onion, carrot and celery, stirring, 5 mins, or until softened.
Add 3 quarts water and remaining ingredients, except parsley; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; simmer, covered, 1 hour, or until lentils and vegetables are tender.
Remove ham hock. Discard skin and slice meat. Remove and discard bay leaves.
Blend or process half the soup, in batches, until smooth. Return soup to pan with ham. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Stir on medium heat until heated through.
Serve sprinkled with parsley.