Cooking 101 - Italian Sausage & Lentil Soup

It's been a while since I posted, so here's a little sumthin' yummy for ya. Even though it's summer, you can still have soup - paired with a delishy cold-cut sandwich full of avocado, sprouts, fresh veggies, and such, you've got an AMAZING dinner! Eat it outside and you'll almost feel like you're in Tuscany! {gasp!!!} (unless you have junky stinky neighbors)

I found this recipe on the Sisters' Cafe site {love it} and, of course, I tweaked it just a little.







Italian Sausage & Lentil Soup

1 pound green lentils, rinsed

7 cups chicken broth (I use water and chicken base)

1 bay leaf

2 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, chopped

1 large onion, chopped

2 large carrots, chopped

2 ribs celery, chopped

8 oz spinach, chopped

1 14oz can diced tomatoes

1 Tbs chopped fresh parsley
1 lb. ground Italian sausage
1 tsp. Italian seasoning

Salt

Freshly ground black pepper

Fresh Parmesan cheese

In a large pot, combine the lentils, broth and bay leaf. Bring to boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook, partially covered, for approximately 30 minutes. **The way I usually do broth is I'll add the water to the pot, and then use that "Better than Bullion" chicken base (from any grocery store), and follow the directions on amounts. It makes a great broth.

In the meantime: In a large skillet, heat the oil. Add the garlic, onion, carrot and celery. Cook over low heat, stirring often, until vegetables are tender, but not browned.

Add the sauteed vegetables, spinach, tomatoes (with juice), and parsley to the lentils. Simmer for 15 minutes, stirring often. Add more broth as needed.

Using the same skillet from the vegetables, brown the sausage until it's no longer pink. Add to the soup. Simmer everything for about 20 minutes on low heat, until all veggies are tender and the flavors blend to the point of ecstasy.

Season with the salt and pepper. Remove the bay leaf. Ladle in bowls, and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese. Eat it and see if you can keep your eyes from rolling back into your head...