Ina Garten's Lentil Vegetable Soup(Vegetarianized) Recipe - Details, Calories, Nutrition Information

Ingredients

• 1 lb french green lentil (or brown )
• 4 cups yellow onions, diced small (3 large onions)
• 4 cups leeks, white part only, diced small (2-3 leeks-if i don'tsp have i use scallions-about 8, the green and white parts-could also use shallots)
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced small (optional)
• 1 tbsp minced garlic (3 cloves)
• 1/4 cup good olive oil, plus additional for drizzling on top
• 1 tbsp kosher salt
• 1 -1 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper (go easy at first-you can always add more, but you cant' take it away)
• 1 tbsp minced fresh thyme leave (or 1 tsp dried )
• 1/2-1 tsp ground cumin ( some like to use curry powder or chili powder for a change)
• 3 cups small diced celery (8 stalks )
• 3 cups small diced carrots (4 to 6 carrots)
• 3 quarts vegetable stock
• 1/4 cup tomato paste
• 1 -2 bay leaf
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar (or red wine)
• freshly grated parmesan cheese