Saturday, November 1, 2008

Lentil Soup with Sausage and Kale



Ingredients
1 tablespoon EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 pound bulk hot Italian sausage (I used mild pork sausage because it was cheaper)
1 cup lentils
1 medium onion, chopped
3 to 4 cloves of garlic, grated or chopped
1/2 pound cremini mushrooms, wiped clean and thinly sliced (I left these out because I couldn't find the right type of mushroom)
1 baking potato, peeled and diced
2 sprigs rosemary, leaves removed and chopped (I used dried)
3 to 4 sprigs thyme, leaves removed (I used dried)
Salt and ground black pepper
1/4 cup tomato paste
4 cups chicken stock (I added extra because the soup was really thick, and I like more "brothy" soups)
1 bunch kale, thick stems removed and discarded, leaves shredded (I didn't use the whole bunch because I was afraid Mike wouldn't eat it. It was good with less kale though)

Preparation

Place a large soup pot over medium-high heat with one turn of the pan of EVOO, about 1 tablespoon. Once hot, add the sausage and sauté for 3-4 minutes, breaking it up into small pieces with the back of a spoon or a potato masher as it cooks and browns.
While the sausage is browning, pour the lentils out onto a light-colored plate and sift through them. Discard any small stones -- sometimes you find them sometimes you don't, but better safe than sorry.

To the browned sausage, add the onion, garlic, mushrooms, potato, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper and the tomato paste. Cook, stirring frequently, for 3-4 minutes.

Add the stock and 2 cups of water, turn the heat up to high and bring up to a bubble. Add the lentils and the kale, stir until the kale wilts in then turn the heat down to medium and simmer 30-40 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Serve.

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