ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND LENTIL CHILI

INGREDIENTS:

1 16 OZ PACKAGE OF LENTILS, 2 CUPS CHOPPED CARROTS, 2 CUPS CHOPPED CELERY, 2 MEDIUM ONIONS CHOPPED, 2 CHICKEN BREASTS.

1 LB OF ITALIAN SAUSAGE, 1 LARGE ONIONS CHOPPED, 3 CLOVES OF GARLIC CHOPPED, AND 1-28 OZ CAN OF PETITE DICED TOMATOES,  AND CHOPPED HAM FROM PORK SHOULDER IF DESIRED OR HAM HOCKS.

Rinse and drain lentils. Chop 2 cups carrots, 2 large onions, 2 cups celery, and have available 2 small chicken breasts. Fill Dutch oven with 2 1/2 quarts of water , then add lentils, carrots, onions, celery, and chicken breasts, and 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of pepper, bring to a boil and lower to simmer for 1 hour.

While the above is simmering, in a large fry pan, brown the sausage, move to sides of pan,  and add 1 large cubed onion, 3 cloves of chopped garlic, with a little EVOO and a pinch of red pepper flakes and saute until translucent. Then add 1 large can of Petite diced tomatoes and a pinch of salt, folding mixture until combined and let simmer for 10 minutes.

Add sausage mixture to Dutch Oven folding to incorporate one into the other. YOU MAY ALSO ADD MEAT FROM PORK SHOULDER WHICH ADDS ANOTHER DIMENSION OF FLAVOR.

YOU NOW HAVE A DELICIOUS, NUTRITIOUS, ITALIAN SAUSAGE AND LENTIL CHILI THAT WILL COMFORT YOU ON A COLD WINTER DAY!

"MY YUMLICIOUS RECIPE"