French Lentil Soup With Pioneer Sausage

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
• 1 celery rib, finely chopped
• 1 ¼ cups lentils (preferably French Green)
• 6 cups water
• 1 ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 4 oz Pioneer Sausage
• 1 tsp Balsamic vinegar, or to taste

 

Preparation

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté onion, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add carrots and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add lentils, water, salt and pepper and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to moderate and cook, covered, until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.

While lentils are cooking, heat remaining tablespoon oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown sausage on all sides, about 5 minutes. Cool sausage slightly on a cutting board, then cut into ½ inch thick pieces. Add sausage to soup and stir in vinegar.