BY CHEF KATIE MIST

Sausage, Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew

This Sausage, Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew stew is a crowd pleaser, even for the pickiest eaters. It's also the perfect cozy meal as we head into winter. Chef Katie Mist's Sausage, Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew is an easy weeknight meal that showcases nutritious and delicious ingredients. This stew is high in fiber from the sweet potatoes, carrots and lentils. Then, when you pair those delicious vegetables and legumes with the chicken sausage and bone broth, you've got a solid dose of protein as well! Do not miss out on making this Sausage, Lentil and Sweet Potato Stew. It’s nourishing, it’s comforting, and it’s down right YUM.

Cook Time: 40 minutes | Prep time: 15 minutes | Serves/Serving: Servings = 4

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• 1 pound bulk chicken Italian sausage or raw sausage links (simply slice through the casing to remove sausage meat.)

• 1 onion, diced

• 2 ribs celery, diced

• 2 carrots, diced

• 1 small sweet potato, diced

• 1 small red bell pepper, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 2 large sprigs fresh thyme

• 1 bay leaf

• Salt and pepper

• 1 cup dried lentils (green, red, mixed color)

• 6 cups chicken bone broth (substitute with chicken broth, if desired)

• Fresh Italian parsley for garnish, chopped

Instructions

1. Heat a large 4 quart pot (or slightly bigger would also work well) over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot add enough olive oil to generously cover the bottom (~2 Tbsp).

2. Add sausage and brown, breaking it up into small pieces with a metal spatula, and stir occasionally.

3. Cook for 8-10 minutes.

4. While sausage is cooking, dice onion through bell pepper and chop the garlic.

5. When sausage is browned, add diced veggies, garlic, thyme and bay leaf, salt and pepper.

6. Reduce heat to medium, cover and cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

7. Stir in lentils and bone broth, bring to a boil over high heat, reduce to a simmer, cover and let cook for 25-35 minutes, or until lentils are tender.

8. Taste for seasoning and add more salt and pepper if necessary.

9. To serve, ladle stew into a bowl and top with chopped parsley and a generous drizzle of good olive oil.

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