Garden Orzo Soup

• 2 teaspoons margarine
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 -2 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 12 cup dried lentils
• 1 cup water
• 3 (429 ml) cans low sodium chicken broth (I make my own broth and use about a litre and a half)
• 2 large carrots, peeled and thinly sliced
• 2 medium red potatoes, cubed (I leave skins on for extra nutrition)
• 12 teaspoon dried marjoram
• 12 teaspoon dried tarragon
• 12 teaspoon pepper
• 1 cup frozen peas (you can use canned if you want but that will increase the sodium content)
• 12 cup uncooked orzo pasta (can substitute with small pasta of any shape)
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice (I use the low sodium of course!)

1. In a large pot, melt margarine, add onion and garlic.
2. Cook over medium heat until onion is softened.
3. Add all remaining ingredients except peas, orzo and tomatoes.
4. Cook over high heat until it reaches a full boil (6-8 minutes).
5. Reduce heat and simmer, covered until lentils and potatoes are tender (10 minutes).
6. Add peas, orzo and tomatoes.
7. Increase heat back to high.
8. Bring to a full boil (8-10 minutes).
9. Reduce heat again to low, and let simmer until orzo is tender (10-12 minutes).
10. *When cooking lentils, DO NOT add acidic ingredients like tomatoes until they are of desired texture.
11. The acid in the tomatoes prevents them from getting softened.

margarine, onion, garlic, lentils, water, chicken broth, carrots, red potatoes, marjoram, tarragon, pepper, frozen peas, orzo pasta, tomatoes

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/garden-orzo-soup-181998 (may not work)