French Lentil Soup with Sausage Recipe courtesy Gourmet Magazine *Recipe Summary* *Difficulty:* Easy *Prep Time:* 15 minutes *Cook Time:* 45 minutes *Yield:* 6 servings *User Rating:* 5 Stars 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 medium onion, finely chopped 2 medium carrots, finely chopped 1 celery rib, finely chopped 1 1/4 cups lentils (preferably French green) 6 cups water 1 1/2 teaspoons salt 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 4 ounces smoked sausage, like kielbasa 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar, or to taste Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook onion, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Add carrots and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add lentils, water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to moderate and cook, covered, until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. While lentils are cooking, heat remaining tablespoon oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown sausage on all sides, about 5 minutes. Cool sausage slightly on a cutting board, then cut into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Add sausage to soup and stir in vinegar. Episode#: SS1C02 Copyright © 2003 Television Food Network, G.P., All Rights Reserved