Chorizo, Lentil and Tomato Soup?

It's a gray day in Chicago so I decided to stay around the house and get organized for the new year. I unpacked the rest of my Christmas presents, reorganized my books, did my laundry and raided my pantry. I decided to challenge myself to see if I could make an original recipe using only what I had at my house at that time. I looked in my fridge. Chorizo. I love Chorizo. Let's use that. Red pepper. Check. Onion. I'll take it. And on and on and on.

I broke out my new dutch oven and started my creation. The verdict? See after recipe...

Chorizo, Lentil and Tomato Soup
1 chorizo link
1 onion
1 large can peeled whole tomatoes
2 small can diced tomatoes
2 tblspoons of tomato paste
1/2 cup red pepper, diced
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon thyme
1 tablespoon cumin
1 1/2 cup green lentils, soaked and rinsed
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 1/2 cups beef broth
1 1/2 cup water

Add chorizo, garlic and onion to dutch oven and brown on medium heat, 6-8 minutes. Add tomato paste and stir for two minutes. Add the rest of the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper. Simmer on low- medium heat for 25 minutes. Add water and simmer for another 15 minutes. Skim oil from chorizo off the top before serving.

Serve warm.

Verdict: Call me crazy but this actually turned out to be pretty good. It just goes to show that good food, creativity and saving money can actually go hand-in-hand.

Chorizo, Lentil and Tomato Soup?