French Lentil Soup With Sausage - cooking recipe

Ingredients

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 medium carrots, finely chopped
1 celery rib, finely chopped
1 1/4 cups lentils (preferably French green)
6 cups water
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
4 ounces smoked sausage
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar (to taste)

Preparation

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then saute onion, stirring occasionally, until golden brown, about 6 minutes.
Add carrots and celery and cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.
Add lentils, water, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to moderate and cook, covered, until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
While lentils are cooking, heat remaining tablespoon oil in a 10-inch nonstick skillet over high heat until hot but not smoking, then brown sausage on all sides, about 5 minutes.
Cool sausage slightly on a cutting board, then cut into 1/2-inch-thick pieces. Add sausage to soup and stir in vinegar.
Original poster's notes: You may substitue Chicken broth for water!