Classic Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried lentils, washed and picked over
• 1 bay leaf
• fresh thyme (several sprigs, or a few pinches of dried)
• 1 carrot, cut into 1/2 inch dice
• 1 stalk celery, cut into 1/2 inch dice
• 6 cups vegetable stock (vegetable stock preferred) or 6 cups water (vegetable stock preferred)
• salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic