Lentil, Kale, and Bacon Soup

•  1 TBSP bacon grease
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 3 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 1x 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1 tsp salt, or to taste
• 1/2 tsp fine ground black pepper
• 3/4 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 bay leaf
• 7 cups chicken stock or vegetable stock
• 3 cups cooked lentils
• 3 cups of kale, chopped
• Bacon for topping (optional)

1) Heat the bacon grease over medium-low heat (I use "4" on my stove).

2) Add onions, carrots, and celery and saute for 1 minute.

3) Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper, cumin, and pepper flakes. Stir and cook for 3 minutes.

4) Add the broth, lentils, and bay leaf. Bring soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 1 hour.

5) Add chopped kale and bacon to soup and serve.

Recipe stolen and adjusted from here.