Mediterranean Lentil Soup

• 1 pound small sized lentils
• 1 Red onion
• 3 Cloves Garlic
• 1 cup Extra Virgen Olive Oil
• 2 tablespoons Tomato Paste
• 3 Bay Leaves
• 2 tablespoons Oregano
• 1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 1 handful chopped carrot
• 2 Stalks Celery
• Italian, Spanish or Greek Sausage (optional)

1. Put some of the olive oil in a pan on medium heat and add the chopped red onion, carrot and celery. Saute until the onions are translucent.
2. Add the tomato paste and stir until paste starts to melt a bit.
3. Add the olive oil and stir.
4. Add the lentils and cover with water (I use bottled water).
5. Add the bay leaves, garlic cloves, oregano and salt and pepper.
6. Boil rapidly and then add the vinegar and oregano. Sausage can be added at this point if you want it. Cook until lentils are tender and soup has thickened.

lentils, red onion, garlic, olive oil, tomato paste, bay leaves, oregano, red wine vinegar, salt, handful, stalks celery, italian

Taken from food52.com/recipes/8455-mediterranean-lentil-soup (may not work)