Lentil And Sausage Soup

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 1 hr Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 32 ounces chicken broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 2 cups water
• 2 links italian sausage (mild or spicy)
• 1/2 bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 large carrot, diced
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped or minced
• 1 1/2 cups dried lentils, any color is fine
• 1/2 cup salsa (or tomato sauce)
• 1/4 cup pepperoni, quartered and diced

Recipe

• 1 boil the lentils and bay leaf in broth and water, covered, 45 minutes, or until tender.
• 2 while lentils cook, prepare the veggies and garlic.
• 3 in a frying pan coated w/ non-stick cooking spray, brown the italian sausage, then remove from pan to cool.
• 4 add olive oil to the pan and saute the onion, carrot and bell pepper until soft.
• 5 cut italian sausage into 1/4" slices.
• 6 add sausage to veggie saute along w/ diced pepperoni to warm through.
• 7 add garlic and saute for one minute.
• 8 when the lentils are done (or nearly done).
• 9 add the salsa, veggies and meat to the pot - stir, reduce heat to simmer and leave uncovered.
• 10 season w/ salt and pepper to taste.
• 11 reduce liquid to desired consistency.
• 12 taste and re-season as necessary.