Garlic Lover's Lentil Soup

Ingredients

• broth or water
  1 tbsp
• coarsely chopped garlic
  ¼ cup
• thinly sliced leeks (white and light green parts) or coarsely chopped onions
  2 cup
• carrots

  halved lengthwise and cut into ¼-inch slices
  2 large
• celery ribs

  diced
  2 large
• fresh mushrooms

  halved (if small) or quartered
  ½ lbs
• dried lentils

  picked over and rinsed
  2 cup
• boiling water
  6 cup
• dried rosemary leaves
  1¼ tsp
• dried thyme or marjoram leaves
  1 tsp
• bay leaves
  2 large
• crushed red pepper flakes
  ¼ tsp
• red bell peppers

  roasted, seeded, and diced
  2 large
• minced fresh parsley
  ½ to ¾ cup
• balsamic vinegar
  2 to 3 teaspoons
• salt and freshly ground
  1 unit
• pepper to taste
  1 unit