This easy lentil & beef bone soup recipe is comforting and filling. Let those delicious flavors simmer together to create a delicious meal.

Equipment: Hart 7 Litre Catering Pot
Prep time: 15 mins
Cooking time: 1 hour 40 mins
Serves: 4 people

Ingredients

750 g beef bones
Water, to cover bones
3 tbsp oil (45 ml)
1 onion, peeled and chopped
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, peeled and diced
1 punnet button mushrooms, sliced (250 g)
1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped (5 ml)
1 bay leaf
1 cup dried brown lentils (250 g)
8 cups chicken stock (2 l)
2 cups water (500 ml)
½ cup fresh basil, chopped (125 ml)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Bread, to serve with

Method

1. In a large saucepan, cover beef bones with water, cook for 30 minutes until meat is soft.
2. In a large heavy based saucepan, heat oil, sauté onions until transparent.
3. Add celery, carrots, mushrooms and thyme; cook for 8 minutes or until veggies are tender.
4. Stir occasionally.
5. Add bay leaf, lentils, stock and 2 cups water; bring to a boil.
6. Cover pan, reduce heat, simmer for 30 minutes until lentils are tender and mixture has thickened.
7. Remove from heat, remove bay leaf.
8. Place 2 cups of lentil mixture in a blender and blitz until smooth.
9. Add pureed lentils to pan.
10. Drain beef bones and add to soup.
11. Add basil, salt and pepper; cook for 30minutes and stir occasionally.
12. Serve immediately with crusty bread.