Smoked Bacon and Lentil Soup

This is a substantial hearty soup for cold winter days

 INGREDIENTS

1. 4 rashers smoked, streaky bacon, rind removed and finely chopped 
2. 4 oz (100 g), red lentils, washed and drained 
3. 1 tablespoon oil 
4. 1 large onion, peeled and chopped 
5. 1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed 
6. 8 oz (225 g) tin tomatoes 
7. 2 tablespoons tomato puree 
8. 1 stock cube 
9. 1 1/2 pints (1 litre) water, you may need to add more water, as the lentils soak it up in cooking, just play it by ear 

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the bacon in it until the fat begins to run.

Then stir in the chopped onion and toss around to brown.

Now stir in the washed, drained lentils plus the contents of the tin of tomatoes, tomato puree, followed by the crushed garlic then the stock cube and water

As soon as the soup comes to the boil, put a lid on and simmer, as gently as possible, for about 1 hour. Keep an eye on it and add more water as necessary. Season to taste