Pasta Lentecchia - One and half cup lentils - make sure that they are clean. Wash with hot water in strainer until clean - Put in pot - Add small, smoked ham hock - Chop in blender: 2 carrots, 2 stalks celery, 1/4 onion, and 1-2 plum tomatoes and put in pot - Add 2 bay leaves, 2-3 shakes of thyme - Add level tbsp of chicken stock base to pot - Add water to cover everything - Bring to boil and lower heat to simmer - add water if too thick - Cook for 2-3 hours - Cook pasta, drain, and mix with lentils