Romanian-Style Potato and Sausage Soup

Ingredients

• 12-14 ounces smoked sausage, such as kielbasa, quartered lengthwise and cut into ½-inch chunks
• 2 tablespoons neutral oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
• 1 medium carrot, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 medium red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded and finely chopped
• Kosher salt and ground black pepper
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 3 medium garlic cloves, minced
• ¾ teaspoon smoked sweet paprika
• 1¼ teaspoons dried thyme
• 12 ounce can or bottle pale lager, such as pilsner
• 1 pound russet potatoes, peeled and cut into ½-inch chunks
• 1 tablespoon cider vinegar
• ½ cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Instructions

1. Brown the sausage in oil, then set aside.
2. Cook onion, carrot and bell pepper until softened.
3. Add tomato paste, garlic, paprika and thyme; stir in lager, potatoes, sausage and water.
4. Simmer until potatoes yield when pressed, about 45 minutes.
5. Stir in cider vinegar, season, and serve with parsley.