Lentil and bacon soup

I think this is probably your Dad's favourite soup. You quite like it too.

Makes enough for three. You'll need:

3 rashers of bacon, snipped into pieces
an onion, finely chopped
3 or 4 carrots, sliced
a leek, sliced
some chicken stock
3 handfuls of red lentils
dried thyme, black pepper

Chuck the bacon and onion in a large saucepan with a little olive oil, and fry for 5 minutes until the onion is translucent.

Add the carrots/leek and fry for another couple of minutes. Pour in the chicken stock, add the lentils, and scatter some dried thyme and black pepper with abandon.

Bring to the boil, and simmer for half an hour. You'll probably have to add some more water - it all depends on how much chicken stock you have, and how soupy you like your soup...

We ate ours with some doughballs hot from the oven and slathered in melted butter.