Apricot Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup dried apricots
• 1 1/2 cups red lentils
• 5 cups chicken stock
• 3 roma (plum) tomatoes – peeled, seeded and chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Directions

Saute onion, garlic, and apricots in olive oil. Add lentils and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes.

Stir in tomatoes, and season with cumin, thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Stir in lemon juice. Puree 1/2 of the soup in a blender, then return to the pot. Serve.