CARRABBA'S SPICY SAUSAGE LENTIL SOUP

**I made this last night to have for lunch after church today. Larry & I really liked it, although I will be making a few changes the next time I make it. First off, it was too thick with lentils for *me* (Larry loved it that way), so I added more chicken broth as I heated it up today, which worked pretty well at thinning it out some. Next time I will cut back on the amount of lentils, but Larry says if I do that, he'd want me to add more of the veggies, which would be fine. I also didn't really see where the "spicy" part came in, because it didn't taste spicy to me. Next time I'm going to add about a 1/4 lb of crumbled Italian sausage; I think that will add a LOT of flavor.**

Carrabba's Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup
Serves: 6 Ready In: 1-2 hrs
posted by Sandee

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion, chopped
4 celery stalks, sliced
6 ounces Smoked sausage (such as kielbasa), coarsely chopped
4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
4 cups water
2 cups green lentils
1 strip (3 inches long) orange rind
1 teaspoon crumbled dried marjoram
1 teaspoon crumbled dried savory (I omitted)
3 carrots, peeled and sliced
2 potatoes, peeled and diced
Salt and pepper, to taste


Directions:
In large heavy saucepan, heat oil over medium heat; add onion and cook for

5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add celery and sausage; cook for 5 minutes, Stirring occasionally. Add stock, water, lentils, orange rind, marjoram and savory; bring to boil Reduce heat, cover partially and simmer for 30 minutes.

Add carrots and Potatoes; cover partially and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 35 minutes Or until lentils are tender. Discard orange rind. Season with salt and pepper to taste.