A Warm Lentil and Sausage Skillet Dinner for Four

Bon Appétit has shared a recipe for a hearty lentil and sausage dish that serves four people. The whole meal takes 1 hour and 5 minutes to make, according to Bon Appétit.

The cooking starts by heating 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil (a type of olive oil that is pressed from the first cold pressing) in a large, high-sided skillet or a medium heavy pot over medium-high heat. Six to eight smoked Austrian or German sausages, weighing 1 to 1½ pounds in total, go into the pan first. They cook until they are deeply browned, which takes about 4 minutes.

Next, a large red or yellow onion, three celery stalks, and one large carrot join the pan with the remaining oil. Freshly ground pepper, half a teaspoon of Diamond Crystal kosher salt or a quarter teaspoon of Morton kosher salt are added as well. The vegetables cook over medium heat for 6 to 8 minutes until they soften.

Five sliced garlic cloves go in next and cook for about 1 minute, until they smell fragrant. Then the cook adds 2 cups of low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, 1½ cups of apple cider, and 1½ cups of French green lentils.

Half a cup of chopped parsley and 3 tablespoons of Dijon or whole-grain mustard are stirred into the pan. The mixture is brought to a boil and cooked for about 5 minutes, until the liquid is slightly reduced.

The pan is then covered and cooked on medium-low for 30 to 35 minutes, until the lentils are tender. After that, 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar is stirred in.

Finally, the sausages are nestled into the lentils and simmered for about 5 minutes, until they are warmed through. Sweet Italian sausage or apple-stuffed chicken sausage can be used in place of the smoked sausages, according to Bon Appétit.