I love crockpot recipes, especially since I have three small children. Trying to cook dinner around 5-6 pm is a nightmare and usually results in at least one or two kids hugging my legs and screaming while I'm trying to cook. Throwing together a crockpot meal while they're eating lunch makes my life so much easier.
Today, I attempt a lentil soup. This recipe is especially handy if you're at work or church and want to come home to a ready-made dinner.
Start by soaking 1 lb. of lentils. I started this morning around 8:30 and let them soak for 4 hours. If you like, you can soak them overnight (cover with plastic wrap) and then throw together your ingredients in the morning before you leave.
Next, cook up 1 lb. of bacon. I used bacon tips, but you can turkey bacon as well. While the bacon is cooking, chop up 3 celery stalks, 1 onion (white or yellow), and 1/2 lb. (about 2 cups) of carrots. After your bacon has cooled, chop that up as well. Save the drippings in a dish for later.
If you're prepping the night before, throw all of your chopped ingredients in bags and stick them in the fridge for later.
Once you're ready to put everything in the crockpot, start by adding a couple tablespoons of the bacon drippings, followed by the rest of the ingredients.
Stir it all in with 3-4 cups of water (you can use vegetable or chicken broth). Add 1 tsp garlic salt and 1/2 tsp ground black pepper. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4-6 hours. Enjoy with some warm French bread or a spinach salad (or both if you're really hungry).
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Slow-Cooker Bacon & Lentil Soup
1 onion (med-lg)
3 stalks celery
2 C carrots
1 lb. bacon (or turkey bacon), cooked
1 lb. dried lentils
3-4 C water (depends on the preferred thickness you want)
1 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper
Soak lentils in a bowl of water for 4+ hrs - overnight. Next, coarsely chop bacon and vegetables. Add all of the ingredients into the crockpot and stir. Cook on low for 6-8 hrs or on high for 4-6 hrs.
