Italian Sausage with Lentils and Ciabatta Toast

Cooking Steps

1. 

   Cook Lentils

   In a medium pot, combine lentils, 4 cups water, and a pinch salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat to medium and simmer, until almost tender, keeping lentils submerged, about 15 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2. 

   Prepare Ingredients

   While lentils cook, rinse carrots and cut crosswise into ¼-inch slices. Rinse celery and cut crosswise into ¼-inch slices. Mince garlic. Peel onion and cut into small dice.
3. 

   Cook Vegetables

   Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a separate medium pot over medium heat. When oil is shimmering, add carrots, celery, garlic, and onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook until bright red, about 2 minutes.
4. 

   Simmer Lentils

   Add chicken stock and lentils to pot with vegetables. Increase heat to high and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low. Cover pot and simmer until lentils are tender, about 10 minutes. Uncover and simmer until liquid is absorbed, about 3 minutes more. Remove pot from heat. Stir in red wine vinegar. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
5. 

   Sear Sausages

   While lentils simmer, pat sausages dry with paper towel. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium nonstick pan over medium heat. When oil is shimmering, add sausages and sear until browned on bottom, 5-6 minutes. Flip, add ¼ cup water, and cover pan. Sear until browned on outside and cooked through, 5-6 minutes more. Remove from pan and halve on a diagonal.
6. 

   Plate Sausages

   Wipe pan from sausages clean. Halve ciabatta and add cut-side down over medium heat. Toast until light golden, about 3 minutes per side. Serve alongside lentils and sausages. Enjoy!