Lentil Soup with Sausage

This nutritious soup pairs lentils and sausage together for a hearty and filling weekday supper. Serve with a crusty brown bread and some lightly steamed vegetables…

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 8 oz dried lentils
• 1 medium onion
• 3 cloves of garlic
• 1 leek
• 2 medium potatoes
• 4 links hot Italian sausage
• Sea salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
• Marjoram to taste

Prep

• Rinse the lentils

• Soak the lentils overnight in 4 ½ cups cold water
• Drain and rinse

• Chop the onion coarsely
• Mince or press the garlic
• Wash and trim the leek carefully.  Cut it into thin rings
• Peel and dice the potatoes

Directions

Put the lentils in a large pot, and cover them with 4 1/2 cups cold water.

In a small pan, melt the butter and cook the onion and garlic until soft. 

Add the onion and garlic to the lentil pot, along with the potatoes and leek.  Slowly bring the water to a boil.  Reduce heat. Cover tightly and simmer for 1 hour.

Brown the sausage links and slice into 1 inch pieces. Add the sausage links to the lentil pot.  Season with the sea salt, pepper, and marjoram to taste.

Cover tightly and cook for 15 minutes over low heat.

• For a thinner soup, add more water to the pot.