Cold Day Spicy Sausage and Lentil Comfort Soup

You may have realized by now that I love comfort foods. Their is just something to say for them-starting with the name "comfort" duh! Well we have been having a pretty rough winter here in Colorado, so with  what seems like an abundance of snow and cold days ahead of us, I've been thinking of a soup I can make in large quantities that will only get better over time. Sausage and lentil soup is a basic staple soup, almost as well known as chicken noodle. I put my own twist on a classic and have been enjoying it ever since. Ufurahie Chakula Chako! (Enjoy your meal) and stay healthy.


Cold Day Spicy Sausage and Lentil Comfort Soup:

9 cups of organic chicken broth

3 cups of red, green and yellow lentils-mixed

1 cup of basmati rice

2 links of spicy precooked kielbasa-gluten free

1/3 cup of olive oil

1 large carrot

2 large tomatoes

1 stalk of celery

3 tbsp minced garlic

1  1/2 tbsp of dried oregano

1 tbsp of red pepper flakes

2 tsp dried basil

1 tsp thyme 

1 tsp rosemary

1 tsp cumin

salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, add garlic, and olive oil and saute until browned. Then add lentils and rice and stir until slightly browned. Add 6 cups of your chicken broth, cover and bring to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer until the majority of the chicken broth has been absorbed. In the mean time, dice your carrot, tomatoes, and celery into small pieces. Once broth is absorbed add your spicy kielbasa, and carrot, and celery. Keep the tomatoes out until the very end. Add the remaining broth and stir in your spices to taste. Once your lentils and rice are al dente, add your tomatoes and let them simmer in the soup for about 10 minutes while still on the heat, and then you are ready to enjoy. Also, you can always double this recipe and freeze the soup.