A Cheap Dinner

A Cheap Dinner

Soak 1 pound of lentils (and a handful or two of barley if you want) in water for a few hours.
Drain and put in a large pot with:
1 bay leaf
6 cups water or broth (I used homemade chicken broth)
2 tsp salt
Bring near a boil and then simmer for 30 minutes, stirring a few times.
Meanwhile, brown 1 or 1/2 pounds ground beef (or chicken, I guess)
Add to the simmering lentils along with:
2 cans of tomato sauce (I used diced tomatoes with the liquid and liked it)
4 stalks of celery, with leaves, chopped
2 carrots, chopped
1 onion, chopped (I used only about 1/4 of an onion)
2 cloves garlic, minced (I thought 3 would have been better)
1 Tbsp salt (yes, more, it won't kill you!)
1 tsp dried oregano

Bring back almost to a boil, then cover and simmer for one to one and a half hours, stirring frequently.