smokey tomato lentil soup w/ricotta

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups onion, chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 8 cups chicken stock
• 1 pound ham hocks
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 1 cup carrots, diced
• 2/3 cup lentils, rinsed and drained
• 1 1/2 teaspoons basil, dried
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 1/2 cups cabbage, shredded
• 2 cups italian crushed tomatoes canned
• 1 cup small dry elbow noodles or cut spaghetti (used whole wheat)
• TOPPINGS
• 1 1/2 cups ricotta cheese
• 1 - zest of lemon
• - parmesan cheese
• - fresh thyme