2 carrots (about 200g/7oz), peeled and finely chopped
4 celery sticks (about 150g/5½oz), trimmed and finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 large onion (about 100g/3½oz), finely chopped
large handful fresh flatleaf parsley, roughly chopped
250g/9oz (about ½ head) Chinese leaf cabbage or savoy cabbage, shredded
2 tbsp thyme leaves
1.5 litres/2¾ pints chicken stock
400g tin chopped tomatoes
250g/9oz red lentils
1 bay leaf
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tsp vegetable oil
80²µ/2¾´Ç³ú pancetta, finely diced into 5mm/¼in pieces