Ham Sausage & Lentil Soup

This is a very nice, cozy soup. It takes a bit of time and effort, but it is worth it 8)

• Ready In: 2 hrs 1 min
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  lb  garlic flavored sausage, like kielbasa
• 7  ounces smoked ham, finely chopped
• 2  large onions, finely chopped
• 1  large green pepper, seeded & finely chopped
• 1  medium carrot, finely chopped
• 4  garlic cloves, minced
• 1  bay leaf
• 3⁄4 teaspoon fresh thyme or 1⁄4 teaspoon  dried crumbled thyme
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 8 -9  cups  chicken stock or 8 -9  cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 (1 lb) can  peeled tomatoes
• 1⁄2-3⁄4 lb dried lentils (depending on desired thickness)
• 12  large  spinach leaves, washed, trimmed & finely shredded

Directions

1. Heat oil in 6-8 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add sausage and cook until almost all fat is rendered.
2. Transfer sausage to platter and drain off all but 2 tablespoons grease from saucepan.
3. Add ham, onion, green pepper and carrot. Cover and cook 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Stir in the garlic, bay leaf, thyme and cumin.
5. Cover and cook 5 minutes.
6. While that's cooking, thinly slice sausage; add to pan with chicken stock, tomatoes and lentils.
7. Reduce heat to low. Cover partially and simmer gently until lentils begin dissolve, about 2 hours.
8. (Can be prepared up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated, or frozen for several months.).
9. Discard any fat from the surface, taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
10. Simmer just until warmed through, then add spinach.
11. Serve while warm.