Italian Sausage Tomato Soup

**I am having some internet problems this week, so I am just putting my blog posts into a MS Word document and will post them all when my internet has straightened up.**

This is a wonderful, amazing, delicious and filling soup that I have grown to love during the last few years. It isn't Reed's favorite, but he will enjoy it with me if there is nothing else in the house to eat. ;)

Italian Sausage Tomato Soup
* 4 slices bacon, diced
* 1 pound Italian sausage (remove casings and crumble)
* 1 cups finely chopped red onions
* 1 tablespoon Tony Chachere Cajun Spice
* 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
* 2 tablespoons minced garlic
* 1 bay leaves
* 4 cans diced tomatoes
* 3 cups chicken stock
* Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cook the bacon in a medium pot over medium heat for about 2 minutes. Add the sausage and cook with the bacon until browned, about 5 minutes more. Add the onions and Chachere's seasonings, stirring often, until the onions are softened, about 5 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper, garlic , bay leaf, tomatoes, and chicken stock and stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for about 30 minutes. Season, to taste, with salt and black pepper.

I add a bit of parmesan cheese when I serve to garnish.