Sausage and Lentil Soup

I love cooking with lentils. They cook quickly and are such a fun alternative to the other more common things we eat regularly. I've made this soup many times. We all love it and it freezes well too. You can change the spice level with the sausage or the red pepper flakes. We all like things spicy and a spicy sausage lentil soup is the perfect thing to warm you up on a cold day. We like to sprinkle a little Parmesan cheese on our bowls.  -Sarah

1 pound Italian sausage
1 onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, minced
6 cups chicken broth
1 1/2 cups water
1 # lentils, rinsed
1/2 t. oregano
1/2 t. sugar
1/2 t. pepper
1/2 t. red pepper flakes
32 oz. crushed tomatoes
14, oz can diced or stewed tomatoes

• Brown sausage, onion and garlic. Drain if needed. 
• Add broth, lentils, water and seasonings. Bring to a boil, reduce head and simmer covered for 30 minutes. (until lentils are softened)
• Add tomatoes, bring back to a boil, reduce heat and simmer about 45 minutes until lentils are cooked through. Adjust seasonings. 

(I found this recipe on the blog anoregoncottage.com I've changed it slightly)