French Lentil Soup With Sausage

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
• 1 celery rib, finely chopped
• 1 1/4 cups lentils (preferably French green)
• 6 cups water
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 ounces smoked sausage
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (to taste)

1. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then saute onion, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 6 minutes.
2. Add carrots and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.
3. Add lentils, water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to moderate and cook, covered, until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
4. While lentils are cooking, heat remaining tablespoon oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown sausage on all sides, about 5 minutes.
5. Cool sausage slightly on a cutting board, then cut into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Add sausage to soup and stir in vinegar.
6. Original poster's notes: You may substitue Chicken broth for water!

olive oil, onion, carrots, celery, lentils, water, salt, black pepper, sausage, balsamic vinegar

Taken from www.food.com/recipe/french-lentil-soup-with-sausage-147248 (may not work)