Best Herbed Lentils With Bacon Recipes

STEWED LENTILS WITH BACON AND HERBS

Steps:

• To cook the lentils: In a large saucepan combine all the ingredients. Add water to the pot until it covers the ingredients by about 2 inches. Bring the water to a boil over medium heat, then reduce heat to a simmer. Cook for about 20 to 30 minutes or until the lentils are soft.
• Remove the pot from the heat and season the water with salt. Taste the water to make sure it is seasoned. Let the lentils sit in the salty water for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will allow the lentils to absorb the seasoned water. Ladle off 1 cup of the lentil cooking water and reserve.
• Remove all the vegetables and aromatics from the lentils and discard. Strain the lentils from the water.
• To assemble the lentils: Place 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the bacon lardoons. When the bacon has rendered off a lot of fat and has become brown and crispy, add the onions. Season the onions with salt and sweat them until they become very soft and aromatic.
• Add the celery, fennel and carrot. Season with salt and saute over medium heat until the vegetables start to become soft and aromatic, about 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic and saute for 1 to 2 minutes more. Add the cooked lentils, 1/4 of the reserved lentil cooking water, the mustard and vinegar. Cook until most of the liquid has reduced. Taste for seasoning, add salt or more vinegar, if needed. Serve hot or at room temperature.
• MMMMM!!!! Lentils and bacon...OH MY!!

WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH BACON

Steps:

• Cook 2 slices chopped bacon in a saucepan; remove with a slotted spoon. Add 2 chopped celery stalks, 2 minced garlic cloves and 1 chopped red onion; saute 4 minutes. Add 4 cups water and 1 cup dried green lentils (rinsed and picked over); simmer until tender, 30 minutes. Stir in 3 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons sherry vinegar and 1 tablespoon grainy mustard; season with salt and pepper. Top with the bacon, chopped parsley and chopped roasted red peppers.

HEARTY LENTIL SOUP WITH BACON AND HERBS

Steps:

• Combine onion, celery, carrot, bacon and garlic in heavy Dutch oven. Stir over medium-high heat 2 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low; cover and cook until vegetables are tender, about 7 minutes. Uncover; add 7 cups broth, lentils, thyme and bay leaf and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered until lentils are tender, stirring occasionally, about 45 minutes. Discard thyme sprigs and bay leaf.
• Transfer half of soup to processor; cool slightly. Puree until smooth. Return puree to Dutch oven. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Bring soup to simmer, thinning with more broth, if desired. Season soup to taste with salt and pepper.
• Combine parsley and chives in small bowl. Ladle soup into bowls. Sprinkle parsley mixture over and serve.

HERBED LENTILS WITH SPINACH AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a pot with the water and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer for 30-35 minutes, until the lentils are tender but still retain their shape. Drain any excess water from the lentils and set them aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over a medium-high heat. Add the shallots and cook until they are softened, about 3 minutes. Add the spinach and cook until just wilted, about 2 minutes. Add the tomatoes, lentils, basil, parsley, and mint to the pan and stir to combine. Cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Stir in the lemon juice, salt and pepper and serve.
• Excellent source of: Protein, Fiber, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Iron,
• Good source of: Potassium