Lentil Soup (Old Bon Appetite recipe)

1 C bacon
2 C minced onion
1 C grated carrot (or whole if you like chunks)
1 C diced celery
1/2 C chopped fresh parsley
4 cloves fresh garlic (minced)
16 C beef broth
4 C (two bags) dried lentils
4 C V-8 juice
1 1/2 C dry red wine
Bouquet garni:
6 whole cloves, 6 black peppercorns,2-3 inch dried orange peel, 2 bay leaves, 2 fresh thyme sprigs. Wrap all in cheese cloth and tie off.

Saute bacon in large stock pot. Add onion, carrot, celery, parsley and garlic, lentils. Finish with bacon. Add broth, V-8 juice, wine and bouquet garni. Bring to a boil then simmer a minimum of 1 hour (I let this soup simmer slowly for several hours).

Optional: puree some of the soup or leave it nice and chunky. Squeeze of lemon. Can top with a dollop of sour cream and chives. Vegetarian option: substitute vegetable broth in place of beef and use soy substitute bacon.

BON APPETITE!