Hearty Lentil Soup

We had friends come over for dinner last night and I made this soup. It was perfect fall food! Just thought I'd share.

Hearty Lentil Soup

2 organic celery ribs, sliced
1 medium organic onion, chopped
1 organic garlic clove, minced
2 Tbsp organic butter (raw or at least from pasture feed cows)
6 cups chicken broth (homemade is best)
1 (28 oz) can diced organic tomatoes, undrained
3/4 cup dry lentils, rinsed (I used french lentils - the small black ones)
3/4 cup pearl barley
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried rosemary, crushed
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup sliced organic carrots

In soup kettle, saute the celery, onion and garlic in butter until tender. Add broth, tomatoes, lentils, barley and spices. Bring to a boil. Reduce head; cover and simmer for 40 minutes or until lentils and barley are almost tender. Add carrots; simmer for 15 minutes or until carrots, lentils and barley are tender.

It was a last minute dinner date, so I didn't have anything to go with the soup. It would have been delicious served in sourdough bread bowls!