lentil soup with ham

1 meaty ham bone or 1 large ham hock*
6 cups water
1 1/2 cups dried lentils
2 cups sliced carrots, about 3 to 4 medium carrots
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup chopped onion
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 bay leaf

In a stock pot, combine ham bone, water, lentils, carrots, celery, onion, salt, sugar, pepper and bay leaf. Cover and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for about 1 hour, or until lentils are tender.
Take out ham bone or hock and remove meat.

Chop meat and return to lentil soup. Remove bay leaf. Lentil soup serves 6.

*If you don’t have a ham bone, use leftover ham.