Lentil Soup with Venison and Sausage

Lentil Soup with Venison and Sausage would probably have been a “big time” favorite meal for Isaac of the Bible.  Esau gave up his birthright to his brother Jacob over lintel soup and Isaac asked Esau to “take thy weapons, thy quiver, and thy bow, and go out to the field, and take me some venison; And make me savoury meat, such as I love….”. Lintels are one of the oldest recorded meals dating back to ancient Babylon.   This is a scruptious one pot meal that is healthy and extraordinarily packed with flavor.  Lentil’s flavor is incredible and have not much need for added salt.  Lentils lower cholesterol, have a high fiber content, and keep blood sugar levels regulated.  They are an easy and quick meal to prepare in that they do not have to be soaked and are very well balanced nutritionally.  I know this is a favorite in our house and I hope will become a favorite in your house as well!

 Venison, Sausage, and Lintel Soup

Serves 4 to 6

 

Ingredients:

•  3 Tablespoons butter
• 1 pound venison stew meat, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 pound not nitrate link sausage, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
• 1 Vidalia onion, chopped
• 3 carrots, roughly chopped
• 1 bell pepper, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 Tablespoon fresh thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1 pound of lintels
• 2 cups water
• 3 cups beef broth

 

Preparation:

1.  Heat butter in a large stockpot.  Brown venison and sausage in batches and remove from the pot.

2.  Sauté onion, carrots, and bell pepper in the pan for about 4-5 minutes then add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.

3.  Add thyme, salt, pepper, cumin, lintels, water, and beef broth.  Add the venison and sausage back to the pot.  Bring mixture to a boil.  Once it reaches a boil, turn the heat to low.  Cook for 1 hour or until lintels are cooked through.  If soup becomes too dry add a little extra water during the cooking process.  Serve with your favorite crusty bread.