Jen's Lentil Soup

Now that we have "Mom's" official version... here is my 'mostly' vegetarian version. It cooks up very quickly.


6C vegetable broth
2C water (or 8C water with 6t broth granules)
1 pkg dried lentils (2C)
1C celery, sliced or diced into small pieces
1C carrots, sliced or diced into small pieces
1 large onion, diced
1 tomato, diced (or a spoonful of tomato paste)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1t dried thyme, crushed
1/4t ground cayenne pepper
salt and pepper to taste (watch the salt as there is a lot in the broth)
4-5 hot dogs, sliced (optional)
Ketchup

Combine all ingredients except hot dogs and ketchup in a large covered pot. Bring to boiling. Simmer, covered, for 20-25 minutes or until lentils are tender. Mash lentils lightly with hand masher to thicken and let simmer another minute or two. Take a serving out for the vegetarians, and then add the sliced hot dogs and heat through before serving with ketchup.