Italian Sausage Lentil Soup

My Italian Sausage Lentil Soup

 

with lemon oil and basil oil

Soup Ingredients:
4 TBS olive oil
3 Italian Sausage links
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup onion, chopped
3 large garlic cloves, chopped
2 cups red lentil beans
1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 dry sherry
32 ozs chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh parsley
1/4 cup fresh basil
2 Bay leaves
1/4 cup grated cheese
salt, to taste
1 cup water

Directions:
1.  In large skillet, add oil heat on medium heat.
2.  Add sausage links.  Cook until brown.  Remove from pan and slice.
3.  Add celery, onion, garlic and sauté until soft
4.  Add lentils and red pepper flakes stir.  Sautee for 5 mins.
5.  Add sherry to deglaze. Stir
6.  Add broth and spices.  Simmer for approx. 25 mins. 
7.  Add grated cheese, stir. 
8.  Add water if too thick.
9.  Remove bay leaves
10.Serve in bowl with drizzle of lemon oil and basil oil.  Add additional cheese, if desire.


Lemon Oil:
zest from one lemon, with juice
4 TBS olive oil
Puree together until smooth.  Add additional oil, if needed

Basil Oil:
6 large basil leaves
5 TBS olive oil
Puree together until smooth.  Add additional oil, if needed