Ham and Lentil Soup

This is a meal I class as "comfort food"

Ingredients:

• Ham or Bacon Shank -> if smoked, boil to remove excess saltiness
  
• 1 large onion (finely chopped)
  
• 1 large carrot (grated)
• Approx 1/2 lb red lentils

Place shank in a large pot and cover with water, bring to boil and skim any scum off the top.  Add remaining ingredients, bring back to boil then simmer for approximately 2 hours, stirring occassionally.

The following day, shred the meat into the bottom of the bowl and pour the re-heated soup over the top of it.  Best served with crusty bread.

There are no hard and fast rules about the ingredients, adjust balance for your own tastes.  The carrot and lentils can be replaced by green split peas.

Hope you enjoy
Gareth

My family describe it as a "rib-sticker".  It is more filling than it looks and it is healthy (ish) due to the added fibre in your diet