Lentil Tomato Soup with Bacon and Rice — The Mom 100

Ingredients

• 4 to 6 slices bacon ((sliced crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces))
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 1 cup chopped onion
• ¾ cup chopped carrots
• 1 ½ teaspoons minced garlic
• ½ cup rice (preferably arborio)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• splash of red or white wine ((optional))
• Kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper ((to taste))
• 1 can (28 ounces) crushed tomatoes
• ¾ cup lentils
• 5 cups low-sodium chicken broth ((or more as needed))
• Grated Parmesan ((to serve; optional))
• Chopped fresh parsley ((to serve))