Zesty Spicy Sausage and Lentil Delight
Experience the rich, hearty flavors of this Zesty Spicy Sausage and Lentil Delight, a recipe inspired by the beloved soup from Carrabba's Restaurant. This comforting dish is a perfect blend of spicy Italian sausage, tender lentils, and a medley of fresh vegetables, all simmered together in a savory broth. The addition of fresh herbs and a splash of cider vinegar enhances the flavor profile, making it not only delicious but also nourishing. Ideal for chilly evenings or as a satisfying family meal, this soup will surely become a favorite for any gathering.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
onion
1 cup (chopped)
carrot
3/4 cup (grated)
garlic
1 clove (minced)
Italian sausage
1 lb (spicy hot, bulk)
water
7 cups (none)
chicken broth
5 cups (none)
lentils
1 lb (rinsed and picked over)
tomatoes
1 (diced)
cider vinegar
2 tablespoons (none)
fresh basil
1 tablespoon (minced)
fresh parsley
1 tablespoon (minced)
bay leaves
2 (none)
salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon (none)
dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon (none)
dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon (none)
dried red pepper flakes
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Instructions
1
In a large soup pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add the chopped onion, grated carrot, and minced garlic, sautéing for about 5 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the onion is translucent.
2
Add the spicy Italian sausage to the pot, breaking it apart with a wooden spoon. Continue to sauté for another 8 minutes, until the sausage is browned and cooked through, stirring often to ensure even cooking.
3
Stir in the rinsed lentils and diced tomatoes, mixing well to combine all ingredients.
4
Pour in the chicken broth and water, then add the cider vinegar, minced basil, minced parsley, bay leaves, salt, black pepper, thyme, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Stir well to incorporate.
5
Bring the mixture to a rolling boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot. Allow the soup to simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the lentils are tender.
6
Remove the bay leaves before serving. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed. Serve hot and enjoy your delicious lentil soup!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What restaurant inspired the Zesty Spicy Sausage and Lentil Delight?
This recipe is inspired by the beloved soup from Carrabba's Restaurant.
What kind of sausage is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 lb of spicy hot bulk Italian sausage.
How long should the soup simmer?
The soup should simmer for about 1 hour until the lentils are tender.
What type of lentils should I use?
Use 1 lb of lentils that have been rinsed and picked over.
How many cloves of garlic are needed?
You will need 1 clove of minced garlic.
Should the carrots be chopped or grated?
The carrots should be grated, specifically 3/4 cup.
What kind of vinegar is added to the soup?
Two tablespoons of cider vinegar are added to enhance the flavor profile.
Which fresh herbs are included in this dish?
The recipe uses fresh minced basil and fresh minced parsley.
Do I need to remove the bay leaves?
Yes, you should remove the 2 bay leaves before serving the soup.
How much chicken broth is required?
The recipe requires 5 cups of chicken broth along with 7 cups of water.
What vegetables are sautéed first?
The chopped onion, grated carrot, and minced garlic are sautéed first in olive oil.
How long do I sauté the vegetables?
Sauté the vegetables for about 5 minutes until tender and the onion is translucent.
How long do I cook the sausage?
The sausage should be sautéed for about 8 minutes until browned and cooked through.
What dried spices are used for seasoning?
Dried thyme, dried oregano, and dried red pepper flakes are used.
Is this soup considered spicy?
Yes, it is described as a zesty and spicy dish featuring spicy Italian sausage and red pepper flakes.
How many tomatoes are in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 diced tomato.
What is the first step in the instructions?
Heat olive oil in a large soup pot over medium heat until shimmering.
At what heat should I simmer the soup?
After bringing it to a rolling boil, reduce the heat to low and cover the pot to simmer.
How much olive oil is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of olive oil for sautéing.
What is the purpose of adding cider vinegar?
A splash of cider vinegar enhances the flavor profile, making the soup delicious and nourishing.
Can I adjust the seasoning at the end?
Yes, you should adjust the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed before serving.
How much salt is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt.
Is the sausage broken apart during cooking?
Yes, you should break the sausage apart with a wooden spoon as it browns to ensure even cooking.
What is the total liquid volume in the recipe?
The total liquid volume is 12 cups, consisting of 7 cups of water and 5 cups of chicken broth.
What temperature should the oil be before adding vegetables?
The olive oil should be shimmering over medium heat.
Are the lentils cooked before adding them to the pot?
No, they are added rinsed and raw, then simmered in the broth for an hour until tender.
What tags are associated with this recipe?
Tags include soup, lentils, sausage, spicy, comfort food, healthy, and hearty.
How much black pepper is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Is the pot covered during the simmering process?
Yes, you should cover the pot after reducing the heat to low.
What is the final serving suggestion for this soup?
Serve the soup hot as a satisfying family meal, ideal for chilly evenings.