Lentil Soup, a hearty one-pot meal

BY HELGA WENGLER

German Lentil Soup (Linsen Suppe) makes a hearty one-pot meal. It features smoked kielbasa, onion, carrots, celery and potato. Helga said she often helped her mother make this soup when she was a child in Germany. Her task? Sorting the lentils.

Ingredients

1 pound lentils, rinsed

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

2 carrots, diced

2 stalks celery, chopped

2 bay leaves

3-4 boxes chicken or beef stock. If using water, add 2-3 bouillon cubes.

Salt and pepper to taste

1 ring of kielbasa or any smoked meat

1 large potato, cubed

¼ cup vinegar

Preparation

• Add olive oil to a large pot. Add onion, carrots and celery. Sauté until glossy. n Add rinsed lentils, stock and bay leaves. n Bring to boil, then simmer for 1½ to 2 hours.

• After 1½ hours, add sliced kielbasa and a cubed potato.

• Add vinegar to soup prior to serving. Taste. Add more, if you like.

• Salt and pepper to taste.

Hearty Lentil Soup served with crusty bread

Photo by Ron Flaviano

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