Slow Cooker Lentil and Sausage Soup

My usual go to lentil soup recipe is from the More With Less cookbook.  It's very good and reminds me of lentil soup I had in the Middle East. But this lentil soup kicks it up a notch and was SO GOOD! I always keep a bag of lentils in my pantry for a quick, easy, filling and healthy soup. I served the soup with fresh homemade bread.

You can use any sausage you like in this soup. I used a spicy Italian and it made the whole soup HOT! I think a nice smoky kielbasa would be good as well.

Slow Cooker Lentil and Sausage Soup
2 medium carrots, cut in to 1/4 inch pieces (I cute min on the bias for fun)
1 large onion, chopped
1 celery stalk, cut in to 1/4 inch pieces
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 sausage links, cut in to 1/2 inch pieces
1 1/2 cup lentils
5 cups chicken broth
3 cups loosely packed baby spinach
Salt and pepper to taste

In a pot or large frying pan, heat a Tablespoon of oil. Add sausage and onions and saute for a few minutes. Add garlic, carrots and celery and continue to cook until onions are clear.  Put contents of pot/pan in to the bowl/crock of slow cooker. Add lentils and chicken broth. Cover and cook on low for 4 hour or on high for 2 hours. Stir in baby spinach, salt and pepper just before serving.

Altered from the November 1, 2010 edition of Woman's Day Magazine.