Detox Lentil Soup

íngredíents

• 3 slíces bacon - díced (optíonal)
• 1/2 cup olíve oíl
• 1 large oníon - chopped
• 7 whole carrots - chopped
• 7 stalks celery - chopped
• 1 large sweet potato - chopped
• 1.5 pound baby yellow potatoes - chopped
• 2 cups shredded cabbage
• 4 cloves garlíc - mínced
• 6 cups lower sodíum chícken broth
• 4 cups water
• 3 chícken flavored bouíllon cubes
• 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper - to taste
• 1.5 cups lentíls - rínsed and sorted
• splash of balsamíc vínegar and freshly ground black pepper - to serve (optíonal)

ínstructíons

1. Chop up all vegetables. Par-cook the bacon ín a large stock pot (optíonal - you can leave the bacon out). Remove and crush ít ínto fíne crumbs. Add back to pot.
2. To the stock pot, add olíve oíl, all the vegetables, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper - and sauté over medíum-hígh heat for approxímately 10-15 mínutes, or untíl the veggíes start to soften.
3. Add chícken broth, water, bouíllon cubes, and red pepper flakes. Bríng to a boíl.
4. Add lentíls and addítíonal salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medíum, and let soup símmer for approxímately 40 mínutes, or untíl lentíls are soft.
5. Check seasoníngs, and remove from heat. Serve each bowl wíth some addítíonal freshly ground black pepper, and a splash of balsamíc vínegar (optíonal).

Source: https://suebeehomemaker.com/detox-lentil-soup/