# What You’ll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 10 oz smoked sausage (such as kielbasa or andouille), sliced into 0.4 inch rounds
→ Legumes
02 - 1 1/4 cups dried green or brown lentils, rinsed
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 large onion, finely chopped
04 - 2 carrots, diced
05 - 2 celery stalks, diced
06 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
07 - 1 large potato, peeled and diced
08 - 14 oz canned diced tomatoes with juice
→ Liquids
09 - 5 cups chicken or vegetable broth
10 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Spices & Seasonings
11 - 1 bay leaf
12 - 1 teaspoon dried thyme
13 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
14 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
→ Garnish (optional)
15 - Fresh parsley, chopped
# Directions:
01 - Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced sausage and cook until browned, about 4 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
02 - In the same pot, add onion, carrots, celery, and potato. Cook for 5 to 7 minutes until vegetables begin to soften.
03 - Stir in minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Add lentils, diced tomatoes with their juice, broth, bay leaf, thyme, and smoked paprika. Stir to combine.
05 - Bring mixture to a boil, then reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes.
06 - Return browned sausage to the pot. Simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or until lentils and vegetables are tender and the liquid has thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
07 - Remove bay leaf. Serve hot, garnished with chopped parsley if desired.
