Easy Bacon Lentil Soup » Salads for Lunch

Ingredients

• 6 slices of bacon (chopped)
• 1 medium onion (diced)
• 2 carrots (diced)
• 2 celery stalks (diced)
• 3 cloves garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 1/2 cups dried green or brown lentils (rinsed)
• 6 cups chicken or vegetable broth
• 2 cans (10 oz diced tomatoes with chiles)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley (chopped (for garnish))