Hearty Lentil Soup

This absurdly cold winter season, there is only one way to maintain your sanity: soup. It keeps you warm from the inside. It's filling and comforting and an all-around delight. Picture the scene: you're watching the snow blanket your town, waiting with visible breath as the temperatures drop, glued to your space heater. There's only one thing you need. Say it with me: lentil soup. Let's get cooking.

• 2 medium onions
• 6 carrots
• 4 stalks of celery
• 3 cups of red lentils
• 1 29 oz can of diced tomatoes
• 1 15 oz can of tomato sauce
• 2 tbsp of olive oil
• 2 quarts of water
• 2 tsp salt
• pepper

• cutting board
• knife
• pot
• peeler
• measuring cups and spoons

You're going to start by placing your pot on the stove. Pour in the olive oil and heat up the pot. Now it is time to protect your eyes because we are chopping those onions. (Side note: check these out. Hilarious, right?) Put the onions in the pot and let them start browning as you move on to the carrots. Peel your carrots and chop 'em up. You can do rounds or smaller, whatever you prefer. Throw them in the pot. Turn your attention to that celery. Clean it, chop it, throw it in the pot. Let your roux get to cooking. Mix it up, put the lid on, and step away. You guys need a break from each other.

Once the vegetables in the pot start to soften and you're a little bored, we can move on to the next step. It's time to measure out and pour in your cleaned lentils. Next, pour in the water. Then the salt. Then the pepper. Mix it all up and let it cook covered for a half hour. Go do other things, like fold your laundry or watch a show or start another Instructable.

Open your two cans of tomatoes. The bigger can is diced tomatoes. The smaller is tomato sauce. Pour them in. Literally that's it. Mix it up. Put the lid back on. Let it cook for another half hour. Or less time, if you're feeling antsy.

It's time to eat. Add salt if you're feeling dangerous. Or croutons. Or you're just done. Eat it. This baby also freezes well. Stay warm, friends!