Vegan Lentil Soup (my favorite lentil soup)

2 cups lentils
10 cups water (or 8 cups water if you soaked the lentils overnight)
1 onion, thinly sliced
2 cloves finely minced garlic
2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1 bay leaf
2 tblsp. tamari soy sauce

Bring lentils and water to boil. Reduce heat to a simmer, and simmer 1 1/2 hours total.

saute onions and garlic in olive or canola oil until tender. Add them and the bay leaf to the lentils after 1/2 hour. In another 1/2 hour, add the celery, carrots and tamari, and continue to simmer for another 1/2 hour.

Serve with cornbread and cole slaw. (need the cornbread to complete the protein.)