Ham Hock & Lentil Soup – Blue Sky Ranch

Ingredients

• 2.5 tbsp lard
• 2.5 c diced onions
• 1.25 c diced celery
• 1.25 c diced carrots
• salt
• pepper
• 2.5 tbsp chopped garlic
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme
• 10 cups pork stock (beef, chicken, or duck work too)
• 1-2 smoked ham hocks
• 1 box laird lentils or french lentils
• 2.5 tbsp chopped parsley