Protein-Packed Lentil & Chicken Sausage Soup - Diplomacy Diet

Ingredients

• 1 16 oz package of organic French green or brown lentils, rinsed thoroughly
• 1 package of Applegate Italian chicken sausage or similar, cut into 1/4 rounds
• 2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 onion, finely diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced
• 2 medium to large carrots, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, diced
• 1 Tbsp organic tomato paste
• 1 tsp ground turmeric
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tsp sea salt
• 1 tsp ground black pepper
• 8-10 cups of water (more if needed)
• 1 Tablespoon Organic Better than Bouillon soup base, roasted chicken variety
• 1 large handful of baby spinach, roughly torn
• additional salt and pepper to taste
• grated Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino Romano, optional