Homemade Ham and Lentil Soup Serves 8-10

Ad-Free Blog

 Easy, Healthy(low sodium) and Cost Conscious Soup. 

Mom was queen of soups, and I think I take after her on that one. Anytime we have a bunch of leftovers---first thing I think of is soup!

oldnewgreenredo

Hearty, Easy Lentil Soup.  serves 8-10

Use a Leftover Hambone with a small bit of extra ham. I had about 1 1/4 cup of chopped pieces after cooking. I would also make this with a smoked Turkey Leg---which makes the best soups, and adds that wonderful smoky flavor. 

12 cups of water

Two heaping tablespoons of Salt free Seasoning Mix. (with herbs,garlic, etc.)

2 cups of chopped celery fine( I make soup when there are lots of tops on the celery-so flavorful)

2 medium chopped onions

Put all this in a Slow Cooker on High until meat begins to leave the bone-remove bone and the meat chunk and dice into small pieces and  return to cooker, except for the bones.

Add: (PS I always make soups with relish tray leftovers-Win-Win!)

1 large sweet pepper---any color your choice Diced

1 zucchini - or small yellow summer squash cut in quarters and sliced

1/2-1 cup of chopped carrots 

(you can add any other veggie you want) frozen/fresh peas/broccoli/corn, potatoes

Add 2 cups of the small orange lentils (you could use any quicker cooking dry lentil or dry bean) If you use dried beans---soak them or pre-boil and soak over-nite.

Cook on high for at least 3 hours, then on low until the lentils begin breaking down.

oldnewgreenredo

Taste for seasoning, if it seems flat add up to 2 Tbsp. of Balsamic Vinegar or LEMON Juice and ground pepper. (this still keeps this lower in sodium.)

Serve with a hearty bread, and it's a great healthy meal.

This is a dairy-free cream soup by simply breaking this down with a hand blender. Mine today---is just as it finished on its own...thick and nummy!

I served mine with just a scatter of cheese, some chopped fresh parsley and a smidge of paprika. Croutons, sunflower seeds, cornbread crumbs, would all be great garnishes! Even fresh diced tomatoes! 

ENJOY, YOUR WAY!

oldnewgreenredo

If You enjoyed this post please FOLLOW IT in the upper right hand corner, to get just one email of each AD-Free post.

Thanks  ALWAYS  for visiting,

I will try and respond to every comment and answer every question.

I will post at the following Link Parties, 

I hope you visit them.

All the opinions and photographs in this blog are my own, unless otherwise designated. Please do not use my photos without permission. I have not been paid or reimbursed in anyway for my opinions, posts, or any products shown or anywhere I shop.

Thank you for your cooperation,

Sandi