Rustic Sausage Lentil Stew Hearty and Comforting Meal

Ingredients

• 1 lb Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 medium carrots, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes with juice
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 leaf bay leaf
• to taste salt and pepper
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 cups kale or spinach, roughly chopped
• for garnish fresh parsley

Instructions

1. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sausage, breaking it up with a wooden spoon, and cook until browned, about 5-7 minutes.
2. Add the chopped onion, diced carrots, and celery to the pot. Sauté for 4-5 minutes until the vegetables soften.
3. Stir in the minced garlic and cook for another minute until fragrant.
4. Add the lentils, diced tomatoes (with their juice), vegetable broth, smoked paprika, dried thyme, and bay leaf. Bring to a boil.
5. Once boiling, reduce heat to low, cover, and let it simmer for about 25-30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally.
6. After the lentils are cooked, remove the bay leaf and stir in the chopped kale or spinach. Cook for an additional 5 minutes until the greens are wilted.
7. Season the stew with salt and pepper to taste. Adjust seasoning as necessary before serving.