New Recipe Night... Lentil Soup with Italian Sausage

My version, no "official pic" available

With Brenna gone, it's only John to serve as my guinea pig since only RARELY will Zack even join us at the table on New Recipe Night.  So, tonight it was Lentil soup - I originally planned to make this recipe with my sweet Vegetarian Godson Cameron was here, but we never got around to eating this one - since Cameron is not here and I had a little Italian Sausage hanging around the freezer, I went free style and threw it in the mix.

Lentil Soup w/Italian Sausage

4 cloves garlic, chopped

3 carrots, diced

l large onion, diced

2 stalks of celery, sliced

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 cups lentils

8 cups of water

1 28oz can tomatoes (crushed, diced, or stewed) broken up

1/4 tsp thyme

1/4 tsp rosemary

1/2 tsp garlic powder

1 bay leaf

1/2 tsp oregano

salt and pepper to taste

*** 1/4-1/2 lb of Italian Sausage broken up and cooked ***

Cook Italian Sausage with olive oil and garlic.  Add vegetables and sauté until lightly softened.  Add water and lentils.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a slow boil.  Add tomatoes and spices.  Continue to cook, covered, over low to medium heat for 45 minutes to 1 hour.  Adjust consistency, if too thick, add a bit more water.

Verdict - it's a keeper.  Tasty, I think with or without the Italian Sausage.  Right now I'm on a roll, 3 for 3 New Recipe nights!  Yeah!