Red Bean, Rice And Sausage Soup - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 large onion, finely chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon olive oil
1 1/4 quarts chicken broth
1 large carrot, diced
1 large celery rib, diced
1/2 red bell pepper, diced
15 ounces tomato sauce
2 -16 ounces dark red kidney beans, drained
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup long grain rice
6 ounces smoked turkey sausage, cut into 1/4-inch slices
salt, to taste

Preparation

Saute onion and garlic in oil in large saucepan until onion begins to brown. Add remaining ingredients except sausage and salt; heat to boiling.
Reduce heat and simmer, covered, 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add sausage and simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes or until soup has thickened slightly; discard bay leaf and season with salt.