Sunny Lemon Lentil Soup

Smoked turkey and a squeeze of fresh lemon give this healthy lentil soup a fresh, light flavor.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup finely diced carrots
• 1/2 cup finely diced celery
• 3/4 cup finely diced yellow onion
• 1/4 cup finely diced yellow pepper
• 1 tbsp finely crushed garlic
• 6 cups chicken stock or broth
• 1-1/2 cups orange lentils
• 1 smoked turkey leg
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 fresh sage leaves or 1 tsp dried sage
• 1/2 cup finely diced smoked turkey meat from above leg
• 1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
• salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, onion, peppers and cook until onion is tender. Add garlic and cook another minute. Add stock or broth and lentils, bring to a boil, and reduce to simmer. Add turkey leg, bay leaves, and sage. Simmer for at least one hour or until lentils are fully cooked. Remove turkey leg and let cool. Once cooled, remove meat from bone and finely dice. Measure 1/2 cup meat and put back into soup. Add lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Number of Servings: 6

Notes from the Cook: Add more smoked meat or lemon juice to taste.