Spicy Sausage and Lentil Soup

I found smoked Italian Sausage at my local BJs.  They are spicy and delicious.  You can use any of your favorite smoked sausage, chorizo, kielbasa etc. in this recipe.  The spicy sausage adds great flavor to the broth of this soup.  Just another simple and easy recipe from me.  I use organic ingredients from my CSA and pantry to make this recipe.  All of the ingredients (except the sausage) are things that I always have in my house. 

Ingredients:

1 lb smoked sausage, such as Italian, cut into cubes
1.5 large onions or 2 medium, diced
2 large onions, diced
4 celery stalks, diced
1 parsnip, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 tsp Kosher salt
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 cups green lentils
2 32 oz boxes chicken stock, or 8 cups homemade
2 bay leaves
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes
1/2 tsp Italian Seasoning
1 Parmesan Cheese rind

Here's how:

Saute the sausage for 5 minutes in a large dutch oven or soup pot.

This is the size you want the pieces

Sauteing the meat

Remove the meat from the pot with a slotted spoon and set the meat aside.

Meat set aside

Using the fat from the meat, add the veggies, salt and pepper and saute or 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Fat left over after sauteing the meat.

Veggies into the pot

Add the garlic and saute for 1 minute.

Garlic added

Add the lentils, stock, bay leaf, tomatoes, Italian seasining and cheese rind.

Organic tomatoes and stock

Everything into the pot.

Put the lid on and bring to a simmer.

Remove the lid and let it simmer for 35-45 minutes until the veggies and lentils are soft.

After 40 minutes.

Remove the bay leaf and rind.  Serve.