Stay warm from the inside out with this hearty and low fat winter soup. You will not believe how quick and easy healthy cooking can be!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 large onion, chopped
3 large carrots, chopped
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 (28-ounce) can tomatoes, chopped
7 cups beef, chicken or vegetable broth
1 1/2 cups dried lentils, rinsed
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 ounces grated Cheddar cheese (optional)

Directions

Heat oil in a large pot over low heat. Add onion, carrots and thyme. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onion is tender, about 10 minutes. Add undrained tomatoes, broth and lentils to the pot. Bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low. Cover; simmer soup, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes. Add salt, pepper and parsley to pot. Simmer soup for 5 minutes longer. Top each serving with Cheddar, if desired.

Tip: Unlike other dried beans and whole peas, lentils do not need to soak before cooking, but they do need to be rinsed. Before using, place lentils in a colander and run them under cold water. Pick through them, discarding any shriveled lentils or bits of gravel or debris.

* If you're watching your sodium, simply use reduced-sodium broth and omit (or reduce) the salt.

Recipe makes 6 servings Hearty Lentil Soup.

Per serving (without Cheddar): 278 Cal.; 19g Protein; 6g Fat; 40g Carb.; 1,767mg Sodium; 0mg Chol.; 14g Fiber.

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