Carrabba's Spicy Sausage Lentil Soup

My Mom ordered this at Caraba's Italian Restaurant. It was the best lentil soup I have ever tasted. I found a copycat recipe that tastes just like it.

Ingredients

* 2 tablespoons olive oil
* 1 cup minced onion
* 3/4 cup grated and minced carrot
* 1 tablespoon minced garlic
* 1 lb uncooked hot Italian sausage
* 2 ounces diced ham (about 1/2 cup)
* 7 cups water
* 5 cups chicken broth
* 1 lb dry lentils
* 1 medium tomato, diced
* 2 tablespoons vinegar
* 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil
* 1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley
* 2 bay leaves
* 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
* 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
* 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
* 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
* 1/2 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes

Directions


1. Heat up olive oil in a dutch oven or large saucepot over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, and garlic. Remove sausage from casing, and add it to the pan. Saute for 8 minutes, stirring often. Break up the sausage into bite-size bits as it cooks. Add ham, and cook for an additional minute.

2. Add the remaining ingredients to the pot, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.

3.Serve 1 cup for a "cup" portion, or serve 2 cups for a "bowl" serving.