Lentil Stew with Italian Sausage and Kale from Closet Cooking
(makes 4+ servings)

Ingredients:
1/2 pound Italian sausage (casing removed and crumbled)
1 tablespoon oil
1 onion (diced)
1 carrot (diced)
2 stalks celery (diced)
2 cloves garlic (chopped)
chili pepper flakes to taste
1 cup white wine (or chicken stock)
1 cup de puy lentils
2 cups chicken stock
1 bay leaf
1/2 teaspoon oregano
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 parmigiano reggiano rind (optional)
1 bunch kale (cut into bit sized pieces) (or spinach or swiss chard, etc.)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 cup parsley (chopped)

Directions:
1. Cook the sausage in a large pot and set aside.
2. Heat the oil in the same pot.
3. All the onions, carrot and celery and and cook until tender, about 10-15 minutes.
4. Add the garlic and chili pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about a minute.
5. Add the wine and deglaze the pan.
6. Add the sausage, lentils, chicken stock, bay leaf, oregano, balsamic vinegar and parmigiano reggiano rind and bring to a boil.
7. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer until the lentils are cooked al dente, about 20-30 minutes.
8. Add the kale and simmer until wilted.
9. Season with salt and pepper, remove from heat and mix in the parsly.