This soup is hearty and delicious. Lentils are simmered with turkey kielbasa, rice and spinach in a chicken stock. It's the perfect soup for the cold winter months.
Kielbasa can be purchased in Polish delis. If unavailable substitute in smoked pork sausages, such as Mattessons.
I made minor adjustments to this and it was fantastic! It was a wonderful earthy yet spicy comfort food on a cold Sunday night. I used brown rice instead of white, chicken stock instead of water, and omitted carrot although it seems appropriate for this recipe. I sauteed some red bell pepper and celery instead. I chose to make this in a slow cooker. Saute the veggies and kielbasa first, add to slow cooker with dry lentils, spinach and about 4 c chicken stock/broth. Add brown rice for last hour of cooking. Next time I will try adding some cumin and topping with grated parmesan at the end. (tip from Giada). - 27 Jan 2007 (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)
My family really enjoyed this one. I did make one alteration though. I switched the amounts of chicken broth and water (6 cups chicken broth - 2 cups water). And for next time I think I will be adding a bit of garlic (as that should go in EVERYTHING)...and will cut the pepper flakes in half. It wasn't that spicy if you only had one bowl - the second one had our noses running away. It was wonderful with some buttered peasant bread. - 15 Jan 2006 (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)
Very tasty. I didn't understand the rationale behind cooking the rice separately, so I just added it with the lentils. Also, I reversed the amount of broth and water. Hearty and healthy. - 07 Mar 2005 (Review from Allrecipes US | Canada)