SAUSAGE LENTIL SOUP

Ingredients:

4 tablespoons olive oil

1 onion chopped

4 cloves of garlic finely minced

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon oregano

1 tablespoon basil

16 oz. turkey or pork sweet Italian sausage

8 cups vegetable or beef broth

1 pound carrots chopped

3 stalks celery diced

2 large bell peppers chopped

1/2 pound dry lentils

1 – 16 oz. can crushed tomatoes

Parmesan cheese for topping

Cut the sausages into 1/2 inch slices.  The slicing is easier if the sausages are slightly frozen.  In a large heavy bottomed pan, brown the sausages in the olive oil.  Add the onion and sauté until tender.  Add the garlic and sauté until softened and fragrant.  To this mixture add the remaining ingredients.  Bring to a boil and then turn down to a simmer.  Allow soup to simmer until the lentils are tender.  Serve topped with parmesan cheese.

You can also make this soup in the crock pot.  Just brown the sausage and then put everything into the crock pot for about 10 hours on low or 6 hours on high.

This soup is so tasty and filling.  Serve it with some nice fresh bread and maybe a salad and you will definitely be satisfied.  Hope you enjoy this one!

Sweet Italian Sausage Puttanesca

Ingredients:

2 cups white rice or 1 pound pasta

1 pound sweet Italian sausage

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion – chopped finely

6 cloves garlic – minced

1 pound mushrooms – chopped

1 green bell pepper – chopped

1 can artichoke hearts – drained and quartered

1large jar roasted red bell peppers – drained and sliced

16 oz. beef stock

parmesan cheese (optional for topping)

If making rice, boil 4 cups of water.  Add the rice and bring back to a boil.  Turn down, cover and simmer for 15 minutes.  Otherwise, boil enough water and cook 1 pound of your favorite pasta.

Cut the sausages into slices.  In a large skillet, brown the sausages in the olive oil.  Add the chopped onions and green bell peppers.  Sautee until the onions are soft.  Add the garlic and mushrooms.  Continue cooking until mushrooms are browned.  Add the artichoke hearts and red peppers.  Pour in beef stock and deglaze the brown bits from the bottom of the pan.  Simmer for 10 minutes.

Serve the sausage mixture over the rice or pasta.

Traditionally, pasta puttanesca is made from whatever you have in your pantry.  Try adding anchovies, olives, basil or pepperoncinis.