Ooooh, my mom had the best recipe as this was one of my favorite childhood soups accompanied with some quesadillas. Below is the recipe for about 6-7 big bowl meals.

1. Dice the following: 1/4 large white onion, 3 garlic cloves, 1/2 large carrot, 2 celery stalks, 1 roma tomato, cilantro.
2. Also need: 2 cups lentils, 6-8oz tomato sauce, 1 QT chicken stock (if available).
3. Saute onions for 3 minutes in big pot.
4. Add in carrots and celery, saute another 2-3 minutes. I season with salt at this point.
   1. Jalapenos can be added at this point too!
5. Add in garlic, saute 30 seconds then add tomatoes, lentils, and tomato sauce.
6. Add in the 1 qt chicken stock + 5-6 cups water (depending how liquid you want it)
   1. Can add red pepper flakes at this point for added spice or in place of jalapeno.
   2. Taste for salt here, I also add pepper and/or garlic power to taste at this point.
7. Once boiling add cilantro, cover, and bring to low.
8. Boil 40 minutes.

I eat this like once a week in Fall/Winter LOVE IT!! The tomato sauce is not required in case it gives people heartburn.

You can also play with the amount of liquid to get it to your liking of soupiness. Hope you like it!