Ingredients
2 pounds fresh ground sausage (Italian, sage, etc.)
3 diced carrots
3 diced stalks of celery
1 large onion
4 cups beef or chicken stock (I prefer beef stock)
2 tablespoons minced fresh garlic
1/2 pound or more of chopped kale or other dark greens
2 teaspoons thyme (I use half ground, half leaves. If you use fresh it would probably be about 2 tablespoons chopped.)
1/4 teaspoon red pepper
Salt and black pepper to taste
16 ounces lentils (I mix green and brown)

Instructions

1. Brown sausage, breaking up large clumps.
2. Drain.
3. Return to pot, and add remaining ingredients except lentils.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Add lentils that have been rinsed and drained.
6. Return to boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 45 minutes or until lentils are tender.

This makes a lot, so stock your freezer! I use a stockpot on the stove, but I think a Crock-Pot or other slow cooker would be fine. Just brown the sausage first, and cook on low.

— Rachel (mattysmom)