Lentil Vegetable Soup

• 1 teaspoon cooking oil
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 cup celery, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 carrots, chopped
• 1/2 cup mushroom, sliced
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 1/2 cups lentils
• 1/2 cup ham, cubed
• 8 cups chicken broth
• 1/4 cup broccoli stem, chopped (optional)
• 1 teaspoon Vegeta
• 1/4 teaspoon savory
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper

1. In large soup pot heat up oil; add onions, shallot, carrots and celery.Cook about 5 minutes; add garlic and mushrooms; cook 5 more minutes.
2. Stir in tomato paste and cook 1 minute.
3. Add lentils, ham and chicken broth; stir in Vegeta and savory.
4. Cover and cook until lentil are tender;add broccoli stems last 10 minutes about 30-40 minutes.
5. Taste and add salt and pepper.
6. Serve with parmesan cheese for a change of flavour.

cooking oil, onion, shallot, celery, garlic, carrots, mushroom, tomato paste, lentils, ham, chicken broth, broccoli stem, vegeta, salt, fresh ground pepper

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/lentil-vegetable-soup-531244 (may not work)