Italian Lentil Soup

Name: Italian Lentil Soup
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 55 min
Cuisine: European, Italian, Mediterranean
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 2 cups diced white onion (about 1 large onion); 1 cup diced carrots (about 2 large carrots, peeled); 1 cup diced celery (about 2 celery stalks, leaves removed); 4 cloves garlic, peeled and minced; 7-8 cups vegetable or chicken stock; 1 cup rinsed lentils (red, green or brown); 1 (15-ounce) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes; 2 bay leaves; 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon freshly-ground black pepper; pinch of crushed red pepper; 2 cups roughly-chopped collard greens; optional toppings: freshly-grated Parmesan cheese, finely-chopped fresh parsley or basil