Lentil Sausage Ragout

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 6 ounces hot Italian sausage, crumbled
• 2 medium carrots, diced fine
• 1 medium onion, diced fine
• 1 cup lentils
• 2 cups tomato sauce, homemade or jarred
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Shaved Parmesan cheese, for garnish

Directions

1. Warm the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the sausage and cook it until it is nicely browned, about 5 minutes. Scoop the sausage out of the pan and set it aside.
2. Add the carrots and onion to the same pan. Cook them, stirring frequently, until they have softened, about 10 minutes. Stir in the lentils and 1 1/2 cups water. Bring everything to a boil, then lower the heat so it settles into a gentle simmer. Cover the pan and cook on low for 15 to 20 minutes, until the lentils are tender and the water has been absorbed.
3. Add the sausage back to the pan, then stir in the tomato sauce, vinegar, and salt and pepper. Let the ragout simmer for another 10 minutes. Serve it over soft polenta, pasta, or on its own, finished with a generous shower of Parmesan cheese.