Italian Style Lentil Soup

This is my tried and true lentil soup always delicious and super nutritious, here's how I do it:

Ingredients

1 cup pre cooked lentils (I just simmer dried lentils about 30 mins till tender but still firm)

1 carrot finely chopped

1 medium onion finely chopped

1 celery rib finely chopped

2 tbs tomato paste

2tbs olive oil

2 cups water or vegetable stock

1 good size sprig fresh Rosemary

1 large Italian sausage sliced and pre fried. (Optional)

Small bunch fresh chopped parsley (optional)

In a large pot add the olive oil on medium heat then add the celery, carrot, onion and Rosemary and simmer 5-8 mins then add the tomato paste and simmer another few mins add salt and pepper to taste then add the water or veg stock and simmer a few mins longer then add the precooked lentils and continue to simmer another 10-15 mins till the lentils are soft. Pull out the Rosemary sprig, serve piping hot I like to add some sliced pre fried Italian sausage, some fresh chopped parsley at the end but totally optional and fresh grated Parmesan or Romano cheese.