Lentil Soup with bay

1 pound lentils dry 1 each onion 1 pound carrots 3 each celery stalks or 5 14 1/2 ounces tomatoes stewed 1 x garlic minced, as needed * 1 each bay leaves or 2[...]

1 cup lentils green or brown 1 each onion small, chopped 2 cloves garlic peeled and minced 1 each bay leaf * 6 1/2 cups water 1 teaspoon salt 1 x black pepper[...]