Lentil Soup

2 cups dried lentils

3 onions, chopped

2 carrots, diced

2 qts. water

2 - 8 oz. cans tomato sauce

1 bay leaf

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 ham hock

1 cup dry red wine (Gallo H.B. again)

1 lb. Italian sausage links or other

garlicky sausage

Wash and drain lentils. Place in a 6 to 8 qt. Dutch Oven. Add onions, carrots, water, tomato sauce, bay leaf and salt. Bring to a boil. Add ham hock and wine. Cover and simmer until ham is tender (about 2 1/2 hrs.) Remove bones and fat from ham. Return to pot with sausages and simmer 30 min. or until sausages are done. Remove sausages and slice. Return to soup and serve 6 very heartily.

I searched for years for a good minestrone recipe and I think this one is it. It is the blend of seasonings which makes it so good so don't leave out any of the herbs.