Sausage Lentil Soup

Crappy weather with rain and tornado watch all day! Needed something spicy simmering on the stove. You can adjust the heat to your liking

2 carrots peeled and chopped
1 stalk celery chopped
1 lg onion chopped
2 cloves garlic minced
2 tbs olice oil
1 lb hot Italian sausage meat
6 cups chicken or vegetable stock
2 14oz can diced tomatoes
2 cups dried lentils rinsed
1 tbs worcestershire
1 tbs hot pepper sauce
1 bay leaf
1 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano
t tsp thyme
blk pepper to taste
red pepper flakes to taste
garnish with grated romano or parmesan and chopped fresh parsley or basil


sautee vegetables in large pot about 5 minutes over medium heat
add broth, tomatoes lentils, bring to boil
meanwhile brown sausage meat in frying pan, drain fat
add sausage to soup
add spices, bring to boil and simmer 60 minutes or more
if you want the soup thicker you can puree some of the soup in a blender
remove bay leaf
serve with garnish and crusty bread