1. Rinse your lentils very well and set aside. 2. Dice your vegetables and garlic. Nice, small and even dice. 3. Cook bacon. I do this in the oven, but it can be done in the pot as well. Just avoid excessive darkening as it makes a murky and bitter soup. 4. Cook sausage. I always do this in the pot itself. 5. Pour off all but about a tablespoon of fat. Chop and add cooked bacon, adding about a tablespoon of that fat as well. 6. Add the vegetables and soften about 10 minutes. Sprinkle the vegetables with seasonings, as desired. 7. Add the tomatoes. 8. Add the chicken broth, leaving about 2 inches to allow for the displacement caused by the lentils. Bring to a boil. 9. Add lentils, return to boil, then drop to simmer. Simmer on a medium low heat until lentils are tender and flavors blend. 10. I do not add salt until the very end, as it frequently isn't necessary. I top with parmesan cheese. This freezes beautifully, which is good as it makes a lot of soup. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
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