Soak 3/4 cups lentils in 1 quart water for 2 hours, then cook in same water until tender. Cooking time will depend on the type of lentils you use. To 6 cups smoked-meat stock, including diced meat and soup vegetables, add the cooked, drained lentils, 3 peeled, diced raw potatoes, 1 teaspoon marjoram and cook until potatoes are tender.