Lentil and Beef Soup (Asopado de Lentejas)

Ever since I was a child I remember my mother making Lentil Soup "Sopa de Lentejas".  Last Sunday afternoon she taught me how make it.  It's a soup with burst of flavor and it's extremely easy to make.  Just wanted to share with you the recipe for this yummy soup.

Ingredients

12        ounces of lentils
10        cups of water
1          pound beef
1          medium onion
1          cup cilantro
4          cloves garlic, minced
1/2       green pepper
1/2       tsp cumin
1         beef broth cubes
2         tbsp olive oil
2         packet ham flavor seasoning (I use Goya)
1         packet Sazon Goya (with cilantro and achiote

You must soak the lentils in water for about 2 hours before you start making the soup.

Put the beef to boil in 5 cups of water for half and hour.  In the mean time chop the onions, pepper, cilantro and garlic.  Drain the water from the lentils that were soaking.

After the beef has boiled for half hour add the lentils and the additional 5 cups of water.  Then, add the onions, peppers, cilantro, garlic, cumin, beef broth cubes, olive oil, ham flavor seasoning and sazon goya.

Let everything boil for about half an hour or until lentils are cooked.

Enjoy!