How's the weather where y'all are? It's been such a crazy winter here in Atlanta. A snow before Christmas and then another snow two weeks ago. NOT typical for our state at all!!!
These cold days call for something warm and tasty to fill our families' bellies. Eons ago, I shared a lentil soup recipe we really enjoy and it cooks up in the crock pot. SIMPLE!!! Today, I'm sharing yet another lentil soup recipe and this time it features hot Italian sausage- so SO good!!!
Sausage Lentil Soup
1 pound hot Italian sausage
1 carrot, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
1 large onion, chopped
1 small zucchini, diced
8 cups chicken stock
2 (14 oz) cans diced tomatoes
4 garlic cloves, finely diced
1 tsp salt
2 cups dry lentils
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
1 T parsley
1/4 tsp thyme
Using a dutch oven or stock pot, brown sausage. Combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Then reduce heat cover. Simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally. Serve each bowl with freshly grated parmesan cheese. This makes 8 hearty servings.
OH!! And if you want something super tasty to serve with your soup, buy or make some french bread and serve it with this DEEEELICIOUS dipping sauce!! Have you been to Carrabba's? They serve something very similar with their bread. A change from garlic bread, but really really good!!!
Olive Oil Dipping Sauce
1 tsp basil
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/8 dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or ground sea salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/8 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Combine all the ingredients except oil and lemon juice in a small food processor or coffee bean grinder or use a mortar and pestle. Chop until all ingredients are about the same size. Stir in oil and lemon juice. To serve, combine about 1 1/2 teaspoons spice blend to 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil on a small dish. Dip sliced bread in mixture.
1 tsp parsley
1 tsp minced fresh garlic
1/8 dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt or ground sea salt
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/2 teaspoon olive oil
1/8 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Combine all the ingredients except oil and lemon juice in a small food processor or coffee bean grinder or use a mortar and pestle. Chop until all ingredients are about the same size. Stir in oil and lemon juice. To serve, combine about 1 1/2 teaspoons spice blend to 3 to 4 tablespoons olive oil on a small dish. Dip sliced bread in mixture.
Y'all be sure and let me know if you try these out!! Recipes on my blog are recipes that I REALLY make for my family. These are all meant to be made by YOU in YOUR kitchen for the people you love.
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