Sausage Lentil Soup

1 lb Hot Italian sausage
1 large onion, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 tbsp. chopped garlic
1 (16oz) dried lentils, rinsed
1 cup chopped carrot
8 cups water
2 (14.5 oz) can chicken broth
1 (28oz) canned diced tomatoes
1 tbsp. garlic powder
1 tbsp. chopped parsley
2 bay leaves
1/2 tsp oregano
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp basil
1/2 tsp black pepper

Place sausage in a large pot. Cook over medium high heat until evenly brown. Add onion, celery and chopped garlic, and saute until tender and translucent. Stir in lentils, carrot, water, chicken broth and tomatoes. Season with garlic powder, parsley, bay leaves, oregano, thyme, basil, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat. Cover, and simmer for 2 1/2 to 3 hours, or until lentils are tender.

Serving Size: makes 10-1 cup servings

Number of Servings: 10

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user SHAWN42.