Ham & Lentil Soup

• 2 small ham bones, with meat
• 6 cups water
• 1 12 cups dried lentils
• 2 cups sliced carrots
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 14 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 14 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)
• 1 dash hot pepper sauce (optional)

1. in a small fry pan sprayed with cooking spray saute carrots,celery& onion till onion is golden.
2. In a stock pot combine ham bones, water,lentils old bay honey,pepper bay leaves& garlic powder if desired.
3. Add Sauted veggies.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Reduce heat& simmer about 1 hour or until lentils are tender.
6. Take out bones& remove meat.
7. Return meat to pot.
8. Remove bay leaves.
9. Cool.
10. Puree in batches.
11. Return to pot& warm.
12. Serve with a dash of hot sauce if desired.

ham bones, water, lentils, carrots, celery, onion, honey, black pepper, bay leaves, garlic, pepper

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/ham-lentil-soup-100680 (may not work)