Ingredients:
2 tbsp olive oil
1 lb smoked sausage sliced
2 carrots peeled and chopped
4 ribs of celery chopped
1 yellow onion chopped
3 garlic cloves minced
14.5 oz chopped tomatoes with their juice
1 cup French or brown lentils, (about 7 ounces dried, picked through and rinsed )
6 cups beef broth
1 cup dry white wine
1 tsp dried thyme (or 1 tbsp fresh, chopped)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 lb fresh spinach (optional) (wash and clean sand)
Instructions
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sausage and brown on both sides. Remove from pot and set aside.
Add carrots, celery, onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are translucent. Add garlic and cook several minutes more.
Add tomatoes, lentils, beef broth, wine and seasonings. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
Add spinach (optional), and cooked sausages and season to taste. Stir well and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes more. Ladle soup into bowls and top with Parmesan cheese.
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