Lentil Soup With Italian Sausage

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 lb hot Italian sausage, fully cooked and cut into 1/2 inch pieces
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 carrots, peeled and chopped
• 2 parsnips, peeled and chopped
• 2 celery ribs, chopped
• 2 1/2 teaspoons italian seasoning
• 1 lb brown lentils
• 3 quarts chicken broth
• 1 (5 ounce) package spinach leaves

1. Heat oil in a large pot over medium high heat. Add sausage and cook until browned (5 minutes), stirring occasionally. Using a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a bowl.
2. Stir in vegetables (onion - celery) and Italian seasoning; cook stirring until vegetables soften (8-10 minutes).
3. Stir in lentils and the broth. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium and simmer until lentils are tender (20-30 minutes).
4. Stir in sausage and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until vegetables are tender.
5. Season to taste with salt and pepper and stir in spinach, cooking until spinach is wilted (3-5 minutes).

olive oil, hot italian sausage, onion, carrots, parsnips, celery, italian seasoning, brown lentils, chicken broth

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/lentil-soup-with-italian-sausage-512759 (may not work)