Smoky Lentil Soup

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 slices bacon
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon cumin (I use less)
• 1 pinch hot red chili pepper flakes (I use a pinch of chipotle powder)
• 1 1/2 cups red lentils, rinsed & picked over
• 6 cups chicken stock
• salt & pepper
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

1. In a soup pot, cook the bacon crisp. Remove, crumble & set aside for garnish.
2. Add the onions & garlic, cooking until slightly soft and fragrant (3-5 minutes). Add the cumin & chili flakes, cooking for 30 seconds. Stir in the lentils. Add stock & bring to boil. Lower heat and simmer until lentils soften and soup starts to thicken (25-30 minutes).
3. Add salt & pepper. You may need to add a bit of extra stock or water, at this point, to thin out the soup if it's needed.
4. Serve garnished with fresh parsley & crumbled bacon if desired.

olive oil, bacon, onion, garlic, cumin, hot red chili pepper, red lentils, chicken stock, salt, fresh parsley

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/smoky-lentil-soup-395348 (may not work)