Don's Sausage and Lentil Soup

Today we are sharing one of my "soup-a-holic" Dad's hearty, delicious soups. Feel free to substitute fresh ingredients for dried or canned items listed below.

Ingredients:

1 carrot, diced                         2 cups dried lentils

2 stalks of celery, diced          1 tsp salt

1 large onion, chopped            ¾ tsp black pepper

2 cloves crushed garlic            ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1# hot Italian Sausage             ½ tsp oregano

8 cups of chicken broth          ½ tsp thyme

2 cans tomatoes                      ½ tsp fennel seeds

1 tbsp olive oil

Method:

1. In a large saucepan, heat oil. Add carrot, celery, onion, and garlic. Saute until tender.
2. Remove vegetables from the pan and add Italian Sausage, removed from the casing. Brown and drain off fat.
3. In a large stockpot, place add chicken broth, vegetables and sausage. Open tomatoes, break them up by squeezing them with your hands and add to the soup along with the juice.
4. Add the lentils.
5. Season with salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, oregano, thyme, and fennel seeds.
6. Simmer until the lentils are tender…45-60 minutes. Remove 1/3 of the soup and puree it using a blender or hand held mixer, then return to the pot.
7. Taste for seasoning…if needed add whatever.

Sausage, Peppers and Onions

A delicious way to enjoy vegetables is to blend them.

Sausage, Peppers and Onions

Your favorite sausage, assortment of Bell or sweet peppers, and onions.

Cut vegetables into bite size pieces or slices. Place in baggie and marinade with favorite seasonings. May leave in baggie up to overnight when needing to prepare in advance.

Precook whole, half or bite size pieces of sausage, either in pan, or by grilling (please see note below regarding the Italian sausages).

Add olive oil, vegetables and any seasonings you enjoy and stir fry them.

Note: Stir fry for crispy vegetables, or cover and simmer

for well cooked vegetables.

Add sausage to the peppers or serve on the side.

Note: for a delicious change, add cut tomatoes.

(in featured photos 3 large red bells, 2 large green bells, 1 large yellow onion, 4 chopped tomatoes, garlic and seasoning were used to feed 8 adults)

Our favorite sausage is from the local Publix butcher. They carry a variety of flavors like Parsley with Cheese, Mild, Hot, and other flavors - all without preservatives or nitrates in their Italian sausages. The butchers will accept special orders, offer special pricing on certain sizes, prepare sausage patties, or just plain sausage without the covering. Often, their Italian sausages are on special. That's when we stock the freezer up!

Serve with Hoagie rolls for sandwiches, or pasta if desired.