LUCA'S LENTILS

Luca's Lentils image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, minced
1 carrot, diced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, peeled and smashed
3 tomatoes, cored and diced
1 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
1/2 teaspoon hot or medium Madras curry powder or Garam Masala
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
1/2 teaspoon herbs de Provence
2 bay leaves
1 cup water
1 chicken bouillon cube
4 cups precooked brown lentils
1 to 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, or to taste
Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Steps:

In a large saucepan set over moderate heat, warm the oil until it is hot, add the onion, carrot, salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, gingerroot, curry powder or Garam Masala, lemon pepper seasoning, herbs de Provence and bay leaves, and cook, stirring occasionally for 2 minutes. Add the water and bouillon cube and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes more, or until mixture has thickened. Add the lentils, and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes more, or until flavors have blended. Discard bay leaves.
Before serving, stir in the lemon juice and drizzle with the extra-virgin olive oil.