Lentil-sausage soup with vegetables

I think I love making soup more than an other type of food. I like the slow-cooking process, the layering of flavours, the aromas that fill the house. When there's soup simmering on the stove, all seems well with the world. This one starts with onions and leeks sauteing in the skillet along with some garlic, thyme, cumin, salt and pepper. When the onions are tender, diced carrots and celery are added. After around ten minutes, I add homemade chicken stock, tomato paste, and lentils which have been soaking in boiling water for 15 minutes. Everything simmers for at least an hour at this point. By this point the aromas of the soup will be enticing your family and neighbors to the kitchen to see what is causing their stomachs to growl and their mouths to salivate. To finish the soup, kielbasa and red wine are added and heated through. To serve, I ladle the soup into bowls and grate Parmesan cheese onto the top. A salad and some crusty bread are all that are needed to make a wonderfully satisfying and comforting meal. Perfect for a fall or winter evening...