Lentil soup with sausages

This is a family classic. My mum usually prepares the soup a day before we eat it. It is a fantastic hearty and packed with vegetables and lentils healthy on top. If you are a vegetarian or still trying to loose the some xmas pounds, just use lean ham (cooked ham) instead of bacon and sausages.

Level: Easy | Time: 60 minutes | serves 6

Ingredients

1 knob of butter

2 stalks of celery, chopped

3 rashes of smoked, streaky bacon

6 sausages (Frankfurter) cut into pieces

1 cloves of garlic, finely chopped

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

4 medium potatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces

2 small leeks, washed and cut into rings

2 carrot peeled and cut into small pieces

1 litre of chicken or vegetable stock

Salt and Pepper

Parsley

Preparation

1. Heat a little butter in a big pot on a medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and bacon and cook for 5-10 minutes.
2. Now, add all the vegetables and the stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and keep cooking the soup on a low heat.
3. After 20 minutes add the sausages and turn the heat off.
4. Check the seasoning and add salt and pepper if necessary.
5. If the soup could use a little more taste, try adding a little bit of tomato paste (2 TS) or a splash of vinegar and a little sugar. That helps to bring out the different tastes even more.
6. Serve the soup with a sprinkling of parsley.