Green Lentil, Sausage and Kale Stew

This is a warm, hearty and good for you dish.  It has nice smokey kielbasa combined with healthy green lentils, sweet potato and kale. This recipe is packed with tons of vitamins and minerals, but you would never know how good it is for you, from the way it taste. It is perfect for winter time, especially this year as the weather is so abnormal, warm one minute, freezing the next. You need a nice hearty meal on those cold days and this fits the bill perfectly.

One Year Ago: Pork Chop
Two Years Ago: Bowtie Pasta Salad

What You Need:

1 link kielbasa (about 14-16oz)
1 lb (about 2 cups) french green lentils
1 large onion, chopped
1 large sweet potato, peeled and chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
2 stalks of celery, chopped
1 (28oz) can crushed tomatoes
1 bunch of kale, stems removed and chopped or torn
2 c chicken stock
1 c red wine
1 tsp thyme
2 bay leaves
salt and pepper

What To Do:

Rinse and sort the green lentils. Cover them with 4 quarts of water in a pot and bring to a boil. Cook for about 15 to 20 or until softened. Drain.
While the lentils are cooking, slice the kielbasa into 1/4 inch rounds and cook in a large soup pot until browned. Add in the onions, sweet potato, celery and garlic. Cook for about 5 minutes. Add in the can of tomatoes, red wine and chicken stock. Season with salt and pepper and add in the thyme and bay leaves. Bring to a boil and stir in the lentils and kale. Once heated through it's ready to serve! Tops with some Parmesan cheese if you'd like.