Diamond Jim Moran's Lentil Soup

A favorite of Heavyweight boxing champion Rocky Marciano. When he learned of Moran's death in 1958, Marciano cried and said, "I'll miss Diamond Jim - his love for boxing. And, man that lentil soup he made. The world will never be the same."

1 lb. bag lentil beans

2 tbsp. garlic, chopped

¼ cup shallots

4 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp. salt

¼ tbsp. black pepper

2 large bay leaves

1 tbsp. dried oregano

2 lbs. Italian sausage

1 lb. angel hair pasta

Grated Parmesan cheese

Wash lentils well and remove all rocks.

In a pan, cook Italian sausage until golden brown, remove and put aside.

In a 1 gallon pot with olive oil, sauté shallots and garlic. Cook until shallots are translucent; make sure you don’t burn the garlic. Combine sausage, beans, oregano, bay leaves, salt, pepper and enough water (approximately 2 inches above beans) to cover beans. Cook for approximately 1 hour or until beans are tender, stirring every 10 minutes.

Boil 1 pound of angel hair pasta. Add salt to water. Pasta should be cooked al dente. For each serving, pour lentil soup and sausage over pasta and grate parmesan cheese on top.