Someones in the kitchen

Ok so with all this staying home business I have been getting in touch with my domestic cooking self. I love trying new recipes as well as perfecting the old ones I love. Here is the latest fun find.

Hearty Lentil and Sausage Soup

Serves 6

This robust one-pot dinner packs in lentils, sausage and plenty of vegetables, including mushrooms, spinach, onions and garlic. A loaf of crusty bread is the only accompaniment you need for a complete meal.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1/2 cup chopped carrots
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped garlic
1/2 pound sweet or hot Italian sausage, casings removed
1/2 pound mushrooms (such as white, cremini, shiitake, portobello and oyster), chopped
1 cup (about 7 ounces) dried French or brown lentils, picked through and rinsed
2 1/2 cups beef broth
2 1/2 cups mushroom or low-sodium chicken broth
1 cup chopped tomatoes, with their juice
1 cup dry red wine
Pinch red pepper flakes
1/4 pound baby spinach, thinly sliced
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon chopped thyme
Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Method

Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add carrots, celery, onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent. Add sausage and cook, breaking into small chunks, until it begins to brown. Add mushrooms and continue to cook until mushrooms have released most of their liquid. Add lentils, beef broth, mushroom or chicken broth, tomatoes and their juice, wine and pepper flakes; cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.

Add spinach and salt and pepper, stir well and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes more; stir in thyme. Ladle soup into bowls and top with Parmesan.

Here is the web link to the recipe. I found it on wholefoods market website. http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/408








Warm oil and add chopped, carrots, celery, onion and garlic.




Chopped Sausage ( I used Staggs all natural Chicken sausage, Mango Habanero flavor)

Add sausage to veggies

Chopped Crimini Mushrooms

Add Mushrooms to mixture

Chicken and beef broth. I use Better than Bouillon organic Chicken base and Beef base. You just add 1 teaspoon for every 8 oz of water.


My moms canned tomatoes, juice and all.


1 cup of lentils rinsed and ready to go


Add the broth, tomatoes and Lentils and simmer for 30 mins.

Once lentils are cooked.. add fresh spinach stir and simmer again for a few mins.

Enjoy!!


I also have a special surprise I am making with the soup... See if you can guess.....

Ok a little close peak....