Olive Garden Lentil Stew with Capers

Ingredients:
1 lb bag Italian dried lentils
1/4 cup olive oil
1 small yellow onion, minced
1 medium carrot, minced
1 rib celery, minced
1 clove fresh garlic, chopped
1 sprig fresh rosemary
pinch fresh thyme, chopped
4 cups chicken stock
Sea salt to taste
2 Tbsp plus 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
1 Tbsp capers
4 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 Tbsp parsley, chopped
4 pinches of ground black pepper

Procedures:
Soak lentils for 2 hours in cool water. Drain.

Combine extra virgin olive oil, onions, carrots and celery and garlic in heavy sauce pot. Cook on medium heat until vegetables are tender (about 7 minutes). Do not brown garlic and onions. Add lentils, rosemary sprig, thyme. Cook for 2 minutes. Add chicken stock. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are soft, approximately 30-45 minutes. Turn off heat. Season with sea salt to taste.

Allow soup to stand for 2 hours to combine flavors. (This soup is better the next day!)

Serve re-heated soup garnished with chopped tomatoes and capers.

Add fresh black pepper and chopped parsley. Serve immediately.

Serves: 4 person

Source: Olive Garden