Homemade Lentil and Bacon Soup

I know winter is just about behind us and spring is in the air. We are all looking forward to hot sunny days but that does not mean you have to start eating salads and give up your comfort food and for me you can't beat homemade lentil and bacon soup with buttered crusty bread!

Homemade Lentil and Bacon Soup

2 carrots
1 large or 2 medium onions
thin sliced smoked back bacon
250g split red lentils
2 medium white potatoes
3 knorr chicken stock cubes
( yes chicken not ham, I find you get a better flavour from the chicken stock cube than the ham!)


Method

3/4 fill a large pot with water and bring to the boil. While you are waiting for it to boil, peel the onion and chop finely. Peel and chop the carrot finely too. Peel the potatoes and cut in to large chunks. Take a frying pan and on a medium heat add a little olive oil. chop the bacon and gently fry until it starts to go crispy. Remove from the pan and drain on kitchen roll. Once cooled chop the bacon up to small pieces.
Once the water has boiled turn down to a gentle simmer and add the stock cubes, use a whisk to ensure the stock cubes have dissolved. Add the lentils, chopped carrots, chopped onions, potatoes and bacon. Cook for around 60 minutes. Add salt and cracked black pepper to taste. If the soup becomes a little too thick during cooking just add a little water.

Serve with buttered crusty bread.