Red Lentil Soup

Ingredients

 * 3 tb Ghee or vegetable oil
 * 1 md Onion, chopped
 * 12 ea Peppercorns
 * 4 ea Bay leaves, crumbled
 * 3 3/4 c Vegetable stock
 * 1/2 lb Red lentils, washed
 * 2 tb Chopped fresh parsley
 * 3 ea Dry red chilies, seeded
 * Salt
 * 1 ea 1/2" piece of ginger, grated

Directions
Heat ghee (or oil) over low heat. Add onion & cook till it softens, stirring occasionally. Add peppercorns & bay leaves & cook for 5 minutes. Add stock, 1 c water, lentils, parsley, chilies & salt. Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. When soup begins to boil, add ginger & continue to cook & stir for 10 minutes. Serve hot. Lentils should be soft.