I came across this soup when I searched for something that I could make with lentils and ham. It is a riff on a German lentil soup.
2 c brown lentil, rinsed
3 stalks celery, diced
2 onion, diced
3 carrots, diced
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 qts water
1 pkg Knorr's concentrated beef stock
3 t beef bouillon granules
3 c butternut squash, cubed
2 c diced ham (or sausage would be good; or both!)
2 bay leaves
2 t celery salt
1 t freshly grated nutmeg
5 shakes of hot sauce or 2 t of German/French mustard
1 T worcestershire sauce (or Chinese black vinegar)
1 T dried parsley
2 T fresh cilantro (optional; I just had some that needed to be used so I threw it in there)
2 t caraway seed
1 t freshly cracked pepper
a few twists of TJ's South African Smoke Seasoning
Combine all ingredients in slow cooker and cook on low for 8 hours.
