SPINACH LENTIL SOUP

~ allrecipes

1/3 c. uncooked white rice
2/3 c. water
1 t. vegetable oil
4 oz. kielbasa, chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
1/2 t. crushed red pepper flakes
6 c. water
2 c. chicken broth
1 c. dry lentils
10 oz. fresh spinach, chopped

In a pot, bring the rice and 2/3 cup water to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer 20 minutes.

Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat, and cook the kielbasa until lightly browned. Mix in onion, carrot, and red pepper flakes. Cook and stir until tender. Stir in 6 cups water, broth, and lentils. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer 25 minutes.

Stir the cooked rice and spinach into the soup, then continue cooking 5 minutes before serving.

Makes about ten cups.

Notes: This is fine made as directed, but I always modify it a bit. First, I use brown rice and add it and the 2/3 cup of water to the pot along with the lentils. Second, I make sure to use 8 cups of liquid, but vary how much each of broth and water according to the mood I'm in or what's on hand. Third, I often use Aidell's chicken & apple sausage instead of kielbasa. Finally, I throw in 3-4 cloves of chopped garlic, double the kielbasa, and add a couple extra carrots. It's delicious!