Lentil, Sausage and Rice Soup

You will enjoy this hearty, flavorful soup with it's interesting mix of textures.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1  medium onion, chopped
• 4  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  large carrots, diced
• 1  teaspoon fennel seed
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄2 lb  hot Italian turkey sausage or 1⁄2 lb  sweet Italian turkey sausage, removed from casings
• 2  bay leaves
• 12  cups  chicken stock
• 1  cup  uncooked lentils, rinsed
• 1⁄2 cup brown rice
• 10  ounces fresh spinach
• 1⁄8 cup fresh basil, minced

Directions

1. heat the oil in a large soup pot over medium heat; add onion, carrots, garlic, and fennel.
2. Cook until soft and golden, about 5 minutes.
3. Add the sausage and cooking, stirring to break up the sausage, about 3 minutes.
4. Add bay leaves and stock.
5. Bring soup to a boil; reduce heat to simmer.
6. Add lentils and rice.
7. Simmer uncovered for about 45 minutes, or until lentils and rice are cooked and soft.
8. Add fresh spinach during the last 5 minutes of cooking.
9. Add basil when soup is finished.
10. Correct seasoning to taste.