Lentil Soup with Smoked Sausage |
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Prep Time: 0 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 0 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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This hearty soup, with its lentils and sausage, seems made for savory. For a special version, use imported Vertes du Puy lentils, which have a rich, earthy flavor. A firm whole-grain bread would be ideal alongside. Ingredients:
2 tablespoons cooking oil |
2 ribs celery, chopped |
1 large onion, chopped |
1 carrot, chopped |
1 pound lentils (about 2 1/3 cups) |
1 1/2 cups drained canned diced tomatoes (one 15-ounce can) |
2 1/2 quarts water, more if needed |
4 teaspoons dried summer savory, or 1/4 cup chopped fresh savory |
1 bay leaf |
1 3/4 teaspoons salt |
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper |
1/2 pound kielbasa or other smoked sausage |
Directions:
1. In a large pot, heat the oil over moderate heat. Add the celery, onion, and carrot and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is translucent, 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Add the lentils, tomatoes, water, dried savory, if using, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat and cook, partially covered, until the lentils are tender, about 40 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick frying pan over moderately high heat. Add the sausage and cook, turning, until browned, about 3 minutes in all. Remove. When the sausage is cool enough to handle, cut it crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices.
4. Stir the sausage and fresh savory, if using, into the soup and simmer it for 5 minutes longer. Remove the bay leaf. If the soup is too thick for your taste, thin it with additional water.
5. Wine Recommendation: The inexpensive red wines called Côtes-du-Rhône-from a district of the same name in the south of France-tend to have earthy and spicy flavors that will nicely balance those of the lentils and sausages.
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