Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup

From www.TopSecretRecipes.com I think you will find this very like the soup served at Carrabba's Restaurant. It is exceptional, indeed.

• Ready In: 1 hr 20 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  cup onion, chopped
• 3⁄4 cup carrot, grated
• 1  garlic clove, minced
• 1  lb Italian sausage, spicy hot and in bulk
• 7  cups water
• 5  cups chicken broth
• 1  lb lentils, rinsed and picked over
• 1  tomatoes, diced
• 2  tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1  tablespoon fresh basil, minced
• 1  tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
• 2  bay leaves
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

Directions

1. Heat olive oil in large soup pot. Add onion, carrot, garlic, and sausage to the pot, Saute for 8 minutes, stirring often. Break up the sausage into small bits as it cooks.
2. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 1 hour.