George'S Favorite Sausage And Lentil Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 large, hot Italian sausage
7 oz. smoked ham, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bay leaf
3/4 tsp. fresh thyme or 1/4 tsp. dried crumbled
1/2 tsp. whole cumin seed, ground
8 to 9 c. Rich chicken stock (prefer homemade)
1 (1 lb.) can peeled tomatoes
1/2 lb. dried lentils (1 1/4 c.)

Preparation

Heat olive oil in a heavy 6 to 8-quart saucepan over medium heat.
Add sausage and cook until almost all fat is rendered. Transfer sausage to a platter.