My, do I love being a housewife!

Hello Carol and Susan! I am making myself useful and I hope that you are too. As the good men of the Renaissance would say, a woman must not be idle and must not read idle books! Here is a recipe that is guaranteed to keep your hands busy and your mind free of sin.

Sincerely,
Mabel

Tomato Lentil Soup

4 Tbs. butter
2 cups chopped onions
2 cups chopped celery
2 35-ounce cans of Italian plum tomatoes, with juice
6 cups chicken stock
1/2 cup dried lentils (I use more like 1/2 lb)
1 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley
1/2 cup dry red wine
4 cloves garlic, finely minced
1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1. Melt butter over low heat; add onions and celery and cook until wilted (about 10 minutes).

2. Purée tomatoes and juice; add to vegetables.

3. Add chicken stock and lentils; bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.

4. Add 1/2 cup of parsley, wine, garlic, pepper, salt, and cloves. Stir well, and simmer another 25 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup of parsley, simmer 5 minutes.