Photo: Lentil Sausage Soup Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 pound French green lentils (recommended: du Puy)
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus extra for serving
- 4 cups diced yellow onions (3 large)
- 4 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts only (2 leeks)
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic (2 large cloves)
- 1 tablespoon kosher salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 3 cups medium diced celery (8 stalks)
- 3 cups medium diced carrots (4 to 6 carrots)
- 3 quarts Homemade Chicken Stock, recipe follows, or canned broth
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1 pound kielbasa, cut in 1/2 lengthwise and sliced 1/3-inch thick
- 2 tablespoons dry red wine or red wine vinegar
- Freshly grated Parmesan, for serving
Directions
In a large bowl, cover the lentils with boiling water and allow to sit for 15 minutes. Drain.
In a large stockpot over medium heat, heat the olive oil and saute the onions, leeks, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, and cumin for 20 minutes, or until the vegetables are translucent and tender. Add the celery and carrots and saute for another 10 minutes. Add the chicken stock, tomato paste, and drained lentils, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 1 hour, or until the lentils are cooked through and tender. Check the seasonings. Add the kielbasa and red wine and simmer until the kielbasa is hot. Serve drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with grated Parmesan
Homemade Chicken Stock:
- 3 (5-pound) chickens
- 3 large onions, unpeeled and quartered
- 6 carrots, unpeeled and halved
- 4 celery stalks with leaves, cut in thirds
- 4 parsnips, unpeeled and cut in 1/2, optional
- 20 sprigs fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 15 sprigs fresh thyme
- 20 sprigs fresh dill
- 1 head garlic, unpeeled and cut in 1/2 crosswise
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons whole black peppercorns
Place the chickens, onions, carrots, celery, parsnips, parsley, thyme, dill, garlic, salt, and peppercorns in a 16 to 20-quart stockpot with 7 quarts of water and bring to a boil. Skim the surface as needed. Simmer uncovered for 4 hours. Strain the entire contents of the pot through a colander, discarding the chicken and vegetables, and chill. Discard the hardened fat, and then pack the broth in quart containers.
Yield: 6 quarts
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By emilym311
Illinois
on February 09, 2012
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With or without the sausage, this is the BEST soup I've ever made. I can't say enough good about it. The only thing I did differently was add 2 quarts chicken stock and 1 quart beef stock only because that was all I had on hand.
By buonacucina
on February 09, 2012
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I thought it was good, but it does involve too much sodium for someone who is trying to eat with a health conscious resolve in mind. It has too large an amount of Kielbasa for anyone trying to make wiser food choices. The taste was good, but will have to tweak it for a healthier alternative.
By marybethmoyniha...
Trumbull, 45
on February 07, 2012
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This is truly a winner. I first made this soup from her first cookbook in 2000. At the time I had a hock on hand which I used. Delicious! I've also made it with the sausage for a different favor and without meat with vegetable broth for some friends who are veggies. I have been making this once a year since Ina first posted it. You definitely need the small lentils. Give it a try!!!
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