Hearty Ham Sausage & Lentil Delight
Warm up with this Hearty Ham Sausage & Lentil Delight, a soul-satisfying soup packed with smoky flavors and nutritious ingredients. This comforting dish combines juicy garlic-flavored sausage and finely chopped smoked ham with a medley of fresh vegetables and creamy lentils, all simmered in rich chicken stock. Perfect for cozy gatherings or meal prep, this soup is not only delicious but also a great way to enjoy wholesome ingredients in every bowl. Whether served as a main dish or alongside warm bread, it's bound to become a favorite in your recipe collection!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (Heat in the saucepan.)
Garlic flavored sausage
1 lb (Sliced after cooking.)
Smoked ham
7 ounces (Finely chopped.)
Onions
2 large (Finely chopped.)
Green pepper
1 large (Seeded and finely chopped.)
Carrot
1 large (Finely chopped.)
Garlic cloves
4 (Minced.)
Bay leaf
1 (Whole.)
Fresh thyme
3/4 teaspoon (Or 1/4 teaspoon dried crumbled thyme.)
Ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon (Ground.)
Chicken stock
8-9 cups (Or low sodium chicken broth.)
Peeled tomatoes
1 (1 lb) can (Crushed or whole.)
Dried lentils
1/2-3/4 lb (Depending on desired thickness.)
Spinach leaves
12 large (Washed, trimmed, and finely shredded.)
Instructions
1
In a large 6-8 quart saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2
Add the garlic-flavored sausage and sauté until it's golden brown and most of the fat has rendered, about 5-7 minutes.
3
Transfer the sausage to a platter, leaving the fat in the pan. Drain the grease, leaving about 2 tablespoons in the saucepan.
4
Add the finely chopped ham, onions, green pepper, and carrot to the saucepan. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are softened.
5
Stir in the minced garlic, bay leaf, fresh or dried thyme, and ground cumin. Cover and let cook for an additional 5 minutes to enhance the flavors.
6
While the veggie mixture is cooking, thinly slice the cooked sausage. Add the sausage back to the pan along with the chicken stock, canned tomatoes, and dried lentils.
7
Reduce the heat to low. Partially cover the saucepan and let it simmer gently for about 2 hours, or until the lentils are tender and begin to break down.
8
Once cooked, skim off any excess fat from the surface of the soup. Taste and adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper according to preference.
9
Simmer until warmed through. Add the finely shredded spinach just before serving, allowing it to wilt slightly in the heat of the soup.
10
Serve warm, garnished with additional thyme if desired.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary proteins in the Hearty Ham Sausage & Lentil Delight?
The primary proteins are one pound of garlic-flavored sausage and seven ounces of finely chopped smoked ham.
What type of lentils should I use for this recipe?
You should use dried lentils. The recipe suggests between 1/2 to 3/4 lb depending on how thick you want the final soup to be.
How long does the soup need to simmer?
The soup should simmer gently on low heat for approximately 2 hours, or until the lentils are tender and begin to break down.
What kind of liquid base is used for this soup?
The recipe uses 8-9 cups of chicken stock or low-sodium chicken broth.
When should I add the spinach?
The finely shredded spinach should be added just before serving, allowing it to wilt slightly in the heat of the soup.
Do I need to cook the sausage separately?
The sausage is first sautéed in the saucepan to render fat, then removed and sliced before being added back to the soup to simmer.
How much olive oil is required for sautéing?
The recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of olive oil to be heated in the saucepan initially.
Can I use dried thyme instead of fresh thyme?
Yes, you can substitute 3/4 teaspoon of fresh thyme with 1/4 teaspoon of dried crumbled thyme.
What vegetables are included in the mirepoix base?
The vegetable base consists of 2 large onions, 1 large green pepper, and 1 large carrot, all finely chopped.
How many garlic cloves are needed?
The recipe requires 4 minced garlic cloves.
What type of canned tomatoes are used?
Use one 1 lb can of peeled tomatoes, which can be either crushed or whole.
How much ham is needed and how should it be prepared?
You need 7 ounces of smoked ham that has been finely chopped.
What size pot is recommended for this soup?
A large 6-8 quart saucepan is recommended for preparing this recipe.
What spices are used to flavor the soup?
The soup is flavored with one bay leaf, thyme, and 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin.
Do I leave all the sausage grease in the pan?
No, you should drain the excess grease, leaving only about 2 tablespoons in the saucepan to cook the vegetables.
How do I prepare the spinach leaves?
The 12 large spinach leaves should be washed, trimmed, and finely shredded before being added.
How do I know when the lentils are done?
The lentils are done when they are tender and start to break down, which typically takes about 2 hours of simmering.
Can I adjust the thickness of the soup?
Yes, you can adjust the thickness by varying the amount of dried lentils used between 1/2 and 3/4 of a pound.
Should the pot be covered while simmering?
The saucepan should be partially covered during the 2-hour simmering process.
Is there a specific way to prepare the green pepper?
Yes, the green pepper should be seeded and then finely chopped.
How long do the vegetables cook before adding the liquid?
The onions, pepper, and carrots cook for 15 minutes, followed by another 5 minutes after adding the garlic and spices.
What should I do if there is excess fat on the surface after cooking?
Once cooked, you should skim off any excess fat from the surface of the soup before serving.
Is this soup suitable for meal prep?
Yes, the description notes that it is perfect for meal prep as it is hearty and stores well.
What kind of flavor profile does this soup have?
The soup has a smoky flavor profile due to the garlic sausage, smoked ham, and cumin.
How many onions are required?
The recipe calls for 2 large onions.
What is the first step in the cooking process?
The first step is heating the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat.
Can I garnish the soup with anything?
Yes, you can garnish the soup with additional fresh thyme if desired.
When do I add the bay leaf?
The bay leaf is stirred in with the minced garlic, thyme, and cumin after the vegetables have softened for 15 minutes.
Should the heat be high during the long simmer?
No, the heat should be reduced to low for the 2-hour simmering period.
What is the suggested serving temperature?
The soup is best served warm, ideally with warm bread on the side.