by Elizabeth Morrison

Created on: March 13, 2009   Last Updated: March 18, 2009

This is my mother's recipe of Lentil soup that has been passed down and mastered by me. It is cooked in a pressure cooker to concentrate the flavors of the ham hock, bacon and vegetables of the soup. It is definitely a great hearty comfort food in my book. Every bite is just amazing!

Ingredients:

2 or 3 ham hocks or ham shanks (for flavoring of soup)

1 bay leaf

8 cups of water

1 medium onion, diced

1 green bell pepper, diced

6 slices of thick-cut smoky bacon, diced

3 fresh garlic cloves, minced

8-16 oz. can of crushed tomatoes, drained

1 lbs. of packaged lentils (do not soak)

1. In a pressure cooker pot, combine 2-3 ham hocks or ham shanks, the bay leaf and 8 cups of water. Secure lid and put the weight knob on spout. This will boil over med-high heat for about 45 minutes or until ham hocks/shanks are cooked through and water has turned into a broth for the soup. Let it do it's thing.

2. After ham hocks have been cooking for about 35 minutes, now is a good time to bring together the diced onion, bell pepper, bacon and minced garlic in a skillet. Saute over med-high heat until bacon has cooked and is golden in color, stirring frequently.

Reduce heat to medium and stir in the crushed tomatoes. Cook for about a minute longer, then remove from heat.

3. The ham hocks should be ready at this point. Always use caution when opening a pressure cooker when it is cooking. Remove pressure cooker away from heat first and make sure face and arms are away from spout when removing weight knob. Then, remove lid carefully. If water has reduced a great amount, you could always add a little more.

Add the sauteed ingredients from the skillet to the pressure cooker. Finally, stir in the lentils and secure lid. Put the weight knob back on and return pressure cooker to the heat. Cook on medium-low for about 30 minutes. This should be sufficient time to cook the lentils through until tender.

4. After 30 minutes, Turn heat off. Let pressure cooker stand about 10 minutes first before opening. Then use precaution once again and remove knob, then lid. Stir, serve and enjoy! This Lentil soup/stew is best served very warm.

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