With Christmas finally over thoughts in our house turn to something substantial but not taxing to the system. It’s winter, it’s cold and damp outside and we also don’t want to be doing too much work in the kitchen after the recent festivities.

This soup came about after seeing some pins and rooting around in the cupboard. It’s filling without being bloating and goes really well with crusty bread and will serve 4 easily.

Ingredients

1 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 thin carrots, chunky sliced (if bigger then halve before slicing)
2 stalks celery sliced
1 large onion, diced
1 large squeeze of garlic paste
Large smoked sausage
100g puy lentils,
3tbs Vegetable Bouillion powder and water
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
salt and black pepper

Method

Heat the oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and garlic, sweating for 2 mins. Then add carrots and continue sweating, whilst stirring, until softened.

Add the sliced smoked sausage, lentils, bouillion and water, bringing to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer until everything’s tender and the lentils have filled out nicely.
Stir in the tinned tomatoes, and then season to taste. Simmer until heated through then serve either on its own or with crusty bread and butter