Sausage With Lentils And Spinach Food

ITALIAN SAUSAGES WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• For the lentils:
• Put 2 to 3 tablespoons of the oil into a good-sized saucepan (and one that has a lid that fits) on the heat and when it's warm, add the chopped onion. Sprinkle with salt (which helps prevent its browning) and cook over low to medium heat until soft (about 5 minutes). Add the lentils, stir well and then cover generously with cold water. Bring to the boil, then cover and let simmer gently for 1/2 an hour or so until cooked and most, if not all, the liquid's absorbed. I don't add salt at this stage since the sauce provided by the sausages later (and which will be poured over the lentils) will be pretty salty itself. So, wait and taste. And remember, you can of course cook the lentils in advance.
• Anyway, when either the lentils are nearly ready or you're about to reheat them, put a heavy-based frying pan on the burner, cover with a film of oil and add the bruised garlic. Cook for a few minutes then add and brown the sausages. When the sausages are brown on both sides - which won't take more than 5 minutes or so - throw in the wine and water and let bubble up. Cover the pan, either with a lid or aluminum foil, and cook for about 15 minutes. Using a fork, mash the now-soft garlic into the sauce and taste for seasoning, adding a little more water if it's too strong.
• Remove the lentils to a shallowish bowl or dish (I evacuate the sausages from their cooking pan, plonk the lentils in, then proceed) then cover with the sausages and their garlicky, winey gravy. Sprinkle over some flat-leaf parsley.

SPINACH AND SAUSAGE LENTIL SOUP

Steps:

• In a Dutch oven, cook and crumble sausage over medium heat until no longer pink, 5-7 minutes; drain., Stir in lentils, beans, broth and water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. Stir in tomatoes; heat through., Remove from heat; stir in spinach until wilted. If desired, serve with goat cheese. Freeze option: Freeze cooled soup in freezer containers. To use, partially thaw in refrigerator overnight. Heat through in a saucepan, stirring occasionally.

SAUSAGE AND LENTILS

Steps:

• Combine water, lentils and onion in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, and cook for about 15 minutes. Add sliced sausage, and season with cumin, salt and pepper. Simmer until lentils are tender, about 5 to 10 more minutes.

LENTILS WITH SPINACH AND SAUSAGE

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. Add garlic and coriander and cook until fragrant.
• Add sausage and cook until there is no more pink.
• Add lentils, chicken broth, and bay leaves.
• Cover and bring to a boil, turn down heat and simmer for 10 minutes.
• Add potatoes and cook for 15-20 minutes.
• When potatoes are soft add spinach and stir until completely wilted.

SAUSAGE WITH LENTILS AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add sausage and sautéuntil browned, about 5 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to plate. Add onion and mushrooms to pot; sprinkle with salt and sauté until mushrooms are soft, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Add garlic and thyme; stir 1 minute. Add lentils and bay leaves; stir to coat. Add 6 cups broth; bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover with lid slightly ajar, and simmer until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 18 minutes. Return sausage to pot. Add spinach in 2 batches, stirring until wilted. Season with salt and pepper.

SAUSAGE WITH RICE AND LENTILS

Steps:

• In a medium stock pot, make the rice to package directions. Set aside.
• Boil lentils in another saucepan with 4 inches salted water and a bay leaf for 25-30 4. minutes, or until lentils are tender but still firm and not mushy. Drain and reserve half the cooking liquid.
• In a deep skillet, heat oil on medium heat, and saute the cumin seeds, onions, garlic, ginger, bell peppers and carrots for 5-7 minutes, stirring often. Now add red chili flakes and salt to taste. Saute for 5 more minutes and then add sliced sausage.
• After 4-5 minutes, or when sausage is slightly browned at the edges, add drained lentils to skillet. Stir. Add 1/4 cup of the lentil cooking liquid.
• Swirl in 1 tablespoon of tomato paste and add another 1/4 cup of lentil cooking liquid if needed. Stir to dissolve the paste well.
• Let the mixture simmer 5 more minutes and then turn off heat. Add juice of 1 lime and chopped fresh cilantro. Serve over plain rice.