Saute up 1 med carrot and 1 med onion, 1 celery stalk, garlic.(to your taste) for about 2 minutes. Add 1 28 oz can of whole tomatoes.(save the juice) Cook for 5 minutes until tomatoes are tomatoes are softened. Then add the remaining tom. juice that you saved and 7 more cups of water or chicken broth. Bring to a boil. Then add 1 1/2 c lentils, and species that you like. Lower heat to a simmer. Cook for about 35-40 minutes.