Lentil Soup (Faki)

Ingredients

• 2 cups lentils, washed
• 1 large onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• ¼ cup Eleni® Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp dried thyme
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• ¼ cup uncooked white rice (optional)
• 1 fresh tomato, puréed (optional)
• white vinegar, to taste

Directions

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add lentils, onions, garlic, olive oil, spices and about 6 cups water. Add rice and tomato, if desired. Simmer on medium heat until lentils are soft and the stock is thick, about 30–45 minutes. Just before serving, add a dollop of vinegar.

Excerpt taken from From the Olive Grove: Mediterranean Cooking with Olive Oil. Published by Arsenal Pulp Press (2010).