Confirmation Kids Chili Recipe

I have two other chili recipes on my sidebar but a lot of you were asking for the one I made this weekend for the confirmation kids, so here it is! It is a more "Italian" flavored stew and not at all spicy. We served it with rice and grated cheese to go on top.

2 T olive oil
1 onion, peeled and chopped
1 red pepper, seeded and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
2 cloves garlic, peeled and finely chopped

1/4 t tumeric

1 pound dried lentils, rinsed (I used half brown and half green lentils)
2 15 oz cans kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1/3 cup tomato paste
2 15 oz cans whole or chopped tomatoes and their juice
1/2 t dried savory
1/2 t dried oregano
1/2 t dried thyme
1/2 t dried basil
1 bay leaf
a pinch of cayenne pepper
black pepper and salt to taste

Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large stock pot. Add chopped veggies, garlic and tumeric and sautee about 5 minutes til everything softens. Add all the other ingredients plus 7 cups of water, stir and bring to a simmer. Stirring occasionally, cook about 45 minutes. Season to taste and enjoy! Serves 10.