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1
Place the lentils in a medium-large saucepan with 5 cups of water. Bring to a boil, skim any foam, and then reduce heat to simmer for 15 minutes.
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2
In the meantime, heat a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the oil, heat through, and then add the sausages. Cook to release the fat from the sausages, about 7 minutes, stirring. Using a slotted spoon, remove the sausages and set aside.
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3
Add the onions with a pinch of salt to the sausage-flavored oil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring, until the onion is golden, about 7 minutes.
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4
Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute.
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5
Then add the tomatoes and smoked paprika. Simmer briskly for 5 minutes.
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6
Then add the apple slices and mix in for 1 minute.
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7
Add the sherry and then dump the lentils with their cooking liquid into the pot. Add salt and pepper to taste, along with the chicken stock.
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8
Add the bay leaves and bring to a boil. Cover the Dutch oven and reduce the heat to simmer. Check occasionally to make sure there is enough liquid in the pan, and cook for 20-30 minutes, until the lentil are completely tender (they should not fall apart).
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9
Add the sausages back into the pot and stir through. Taste for salt and pepper. This soup was good the first day, but it was fantastic the second day.