Ingredients

• 1/4 cup, il Fustino Extra Virgin Olive Oil (Frantoio Recommended)
  
• 1 large, onion - diced
  
• 2 ribs, celery - diced (if old, remove tough fiber)
  
• 1 large, carrot - diced
  
• 4 cloves, garlic - minced
  
• 6 links, Italian sausage - removed from casing and broken into pieces
  
• 1 can, Lentils (15 oz cans)
  
• 3 cups, water or chicken stock
  
• 1 large, potato - diced
  
• red pepper flakes (if using mild Italian sausage or want more heat)
  
• 1 bunch, baby spinach
  
• Parmesan cheese - grated
  

Method

1. In a stockpot, add the olive oil and heat on high
   
2. Add the onion, celery, carrots, and sausage
   
3. Stir until vegetables are lightly golden, approximately 2 minutes
   
4. Add garlic, cook for 30 seconds
   
5. Add the lentils and water or chicken stock
   
6. Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium
   
7. Adjust taste, if adding red pepper flakes, do this now
   
8. Cook for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, adding remaining stock as needed
   
9. Add potato and continue to cook for 10 minutes.
   
10. Add spinach and remove from heat
    
11. Serve, have Parmesan cheese on the table