sausage and lentil stew (for the freezer)

i tore this recipe out of a rachael ray magazine (october 2011 issue), and here's a link to the same recipe.  i actually followed the recipe pretty closely this time, but you know i have to something different.

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb sweet italian sausage
1 onion, quartered so it's easier to pick out since we like its flavor but not eating it
3 carrots, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
8 oz lentils, rinsed
4 c chicken broth
2 bunches kale, coarsely chopped
parmesan cheese

in large pot, brown meat and drain. 

heat oil in pot, and add onion and carrots. 

cook 3-4 min., or until softened.  add garlic, lentils, broth, and 3 c water.  bring to a boil, then simmer 25-30 minutes or until lentils are tender. 

stir in kale and sausage.  cover and cook until kale is wilted and sausage is warmed. 

serve with cheese.

this is mostly for the hubby to take for lunch, because soups work well for lunches and because it didn't really sound very good to me.  :)  but, he tried it and gave it the go.  i put most of the batch into containers, added the cheese on top, and stuck them in the freezer!