Lentil soup

Maybe my best batch yet – much needed as a little new year reset.

I started with bacon bc it adds a nice smokey flavor but obviously can be omitted.

Cook 2 slices of bacon in Dutch oven til crisp, remove, chop and set aside.

Sautée chopped onion, 1 large carrot, 2 celery stocks, and garlic in the bacon fat or olive oil. Then add Tblsp tomato paste and chicken boullion paste to bottom of pot to cook a little. Add pinch of red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, curry powder, oregano and herbs de Provence.

Add cubed russet potato and 1 cup lentils and cover with water and bring to boil. Simmer for 25 mins/until potatoes are cooked. Remove from heat and mix in chopped kale.