Lentil Soup with Smoked Sausage and Apples

1. Sauté Onion in Butter

Start by melting the butter in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sprinkle in a pinch of salt, and sauté the onion until it becomes translucent, about 5 minutes.

2. Add Apples

Introduce half of your diced apples to the softened onions, stirring occasionally, until they also soften, about 5 minutes.

3. Mix Celery, Garlic, and Herbs

Add your chopped celery, garlic, and the fresh herbs to the mix. Pour in the dry hard cider, which deglazes the pan. Wait until you see the cider bubbling before moving on.

4. Cook Sausage, Lentils, and Spices

Add the smoked sausage, lentils, and ground nutmeg. Fill the Dutch oven with enough water to cover the ingredients, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the lentils are tender, about 35 to 40 minutes.

5. Finish with Vinegar

Just before you're ready to serve, stir in the cider vinegar.

6. Mix Sour Cream and Mustard

In a separate small bowl, mix the sour cream and Dijon mustard together. Stir this mixture into the soup right before serving.

7. Garnish and Serve

Serve your lentil soup hot, garnished with the thinly sliced scallions and the remaining diced apples.