Try this hearty soup in the fall for an unbeatable bacon soup.

Ingredients

• 3 slices bacon, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1 large onion
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 (14.5 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp minced fresh thyme
• 1 cup lentils, paced over and rinsed, Lentils du Puy (French green lentils) are best salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 4 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 1/2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 3 TBSP minced fresh parsley

Cooking Directions

1. Cook bacon in Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring often, until crisp, about 5 minutes.
2. Stir in onion and carrots and cook until vegetables begin to soften, about 2 minutes.
3. Stir in garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, bay leaf, and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds more.
4. Stir in lentils, and 1/4 tsp salt. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook until vegetables have softened and lentils have darkened, about 8-10 minutes.
5. Uncover, increase heat to high, add wine, an bring to simmer.
6. Stir in broth and water and return to a boil. Partially cover pot, reduce heat to low and simmer until lentils are tender but still hold their shape, 30-35 minutes.
7. Discard bay leaf. Puree 3 cups soup in blender until smooth, then return to pot. Stir in vinegar and warm soup over medium-low heat until hot, about 5 minutes.
8. Stir in parsley and serve.

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