Soup du jour

Cook's notes: While you can never have too many cookies the same could also be said of soup.  It's the perfect course for any meal. We all have our favorites and one of my favorites from Ever Ready is Italian Orzo Vegetable Soup with Sausage.  It's simple, flavorful and hearty. Great to have a simmering pot of soup on hand for your holiday company. For easier prep cook Italian sausage ahead as well as chopping veggies. Pair the soup with cornbread, your favorite sandwich or crusty artisan bread. 
Thanks Denise for French translation :)

 Italian Orzo Vegetable Soup with Sausage 
or in French
Soupe de legumes d'Italie aux saucisses et orzo

Ingredients:

• 2 -1/2 cups cooked Italian sausage, crumbled
• 1-1/2 TB. olive oil
• 1 cup each diced, sweet onions, celery, carrots, mini sweet red and yellow peppers 
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and minced
• 8- 10 cups chicken broth low sodium ( I highly recommend Swanson product)
• 1 can (14 oz. ) fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1-1/4 cups dried orzo or whole wheat orzo pasta 
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning or 1/4 tsp. each thyme, oregano. rosemary, basil 
• 1 tsp. parsley flakes 
• 4 cups fresh spinach leaves, stems removed

Directions:

• Heat olive oil in a large soup or stock pot.  
• Add in onions. celery, carrots, peppers and garlic. 
• Saute for 2 minutes, stirring often. Cover and reduce to low heat. Sweat vegetables for  5-8 minutes. Stir occasionally. 
• Uncover and add in broth, canned tomatoes, orzo, seasonings and cooked sausage. Bring soup to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes. Stir in spinach leaves and cook until spinach is wilted about 2-3 minutes. 
• Serve soup warm.