Dave’s Hearty Sausage Soup

Ingredients

• 3 lbs. Italian sweet sausage, removed from casings and crumbled
• 4 slices bacon, diced
• 2 cups red onions, finally chopped
• 4 teaspoons Emeril’s Essence
• 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 cup crushed tomatoes
• 6 cups chicken stock
• freshly ground salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the diced bacon in a large-sized heavy duty pot over medium heat until it’s just starting to look done (about 2 minutes). Add the sausage and cook another five minutes, occasionally stirring, until the sausage is browned. Add in the Emeril’s Essence and the diced onions and cook, while stirring, for another five minutes or until the onions are softened.
2. Add in the crushed red pepper and garlic and cook until fragrant (a minute or less). Then add in the crushed tomatoes, the chicken stock, and the bay leaves. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes. Season to taste with the salt and the freshly ground black pepper., ladle into soup bowls and serve.