Italian Lentil Minestrone Soup

Ingredients

some pepper flakes
2 lentils
12 c divided water
6 oz tomato paste
3 celery ribs
1 c coarsely cabbage
1 c mushrooms
1 onion
1 t italian herbs
1/2 ts oregano
1/2 ts basil
6 tb parmesan cheese

Instructions

Soak lentils overnight in 6 cup water; drain, discard water. Combine lentils with remaining 6 cup water. Heat to boiling. Stir in remaining ingredients, except cheese. Cover and simmer for 45 minutes. Serve sprinkled with parmesan cheese.