Greek Lentil Soup

Heat the olive oil in a soup pot and saute all the vegetables until the onions soften. Add the tomato paste, bay leaves, oregano and lentils and stir for a couple of minutes. Add boiling water to come about 5 cms above the level of the ingredients in the pot, turn down to a simmer, and simmer for about an hour until lentils are soft (stir occasionally and you will probably have to add more water as the lentils absorb it). Season with salt and plenty of ground black pepper. Serve with a small jug of white vinegar for each person to add a couple of teaspoons to their bowl.

Heat the olive oil in a soup pot and saute all the vegetables until the onions soften. Add the tomato paste, bay leaves, oregano and lentils and stir for a couple of minutes. Add boiling water to come about 5 cms above the level of the ingredients in the pot, turn down to a simmer, and simmer for about an hour until lentils are soft (stir occasionally and you will probably have to add more water as the lentils absorb it). Season with salt and plenty of ground black pepper. Serve with a small jug of white vinegar for each person to add a couple of teaspoons to their bowl.