1. In a soup pot, sauté your mirepoix of onion, leeks, carrots, celery, and fennel with generous olive oil, Herbs de Provence, and salt and pepper until soft.

2. Add Parmesan rind, tomatoes, stock, and lentils.

3. Allow to simmer for 30 minutes.

4. Once the lentils are soft, toss in your greens. Turn off heat and stir

5. Blend half the white beans with a little stock and a swirl of olive oil, then fold into the soup with remaining beans.

6. Stir in your cubes of sourdough; or, if you prefer, top soup with homemade sourdough croutons.

7. Pour in shredded parmesan and stir.

8. Use more cheese and basil to garnish the soup. Salt and pepper for taste.

9. The soup gets even better the next day! Accompany with a simple green salad (arugula) with shavings of Parmesan (use a vegetable peeler), olive oil, juice from 1 lemon and kosher salt. Don't forget the crusty bread and dishes of olive oil for dipping.

*VEGETABLE STOCK

1. Combine 2 large carrots, celery, leeks, onion, bay leaf, Parmesan rind, Herbs de Provence, salt, and pepper with water in pot and allow to simmer for at least and hour.

2. Add water as it boils down. Strain rind and vegetables, and either use or freeze liquid.