Lentejas -- Lentils

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Lentejas -- Lentils

For me, the lentils are the best of all the legumes; humble and yet incredibly good. They are a very important part of the Spanish diet & have now also become stylish. You can find them in many famous restaurants as the ingredient of choice for many dishes.

See more of my Spanish Recipes here.

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Ingredients:

• 1 c brown lentils (well washed; cover & rinse with cold water several times)
  
• 1 bay leaf
  
• of parsley
  
• 1/2 head of garlic
  
• 1 tsp sweet pimentón (found in most specialty stores; substitute with good paprika)
  
• 4 oz salt pork or bacon (make sure to blanch bacon for a minute to remove the strong smoky flavor)
  
• 4 T olive oil
  
• 1 medium size onion (chopped)
  
• 1 carrots (peal & chop into ¼ inch slices)
  
• 1 potato (peeled & cut into small chunks)
  
• 1 T of tomato paste, tomato sauce or whole fresh tomato
  
• 1 T of red wine vinegar (totally optional)
  
• Salt (to taste)
  
• Pepper (to taste)
  

Directions:

1. Put the lentils in a pot & cover with cold water (lentils "grow" so be generous; you can also add more water as they cook); add the bay leaf, a clove or two of garlic, the salt pork, ½ the paprika. Bring to boil, lower the heat to a high simmer & cover partially (some of the steam should escape); cook for ~ 1 hour.

2. Heat the oil in a frying pan; add the onion & sauté for a few minutes. Add the carrot, remaining garlic & cook for 5 more minutes. Now add the tomato paste, cook for another 5 minutes & add the sweet pimentón.

3. Add the sautéed vegetables to the lentils, the chopped potato, salt and pepper. **Add more water if the lentils look dry. Cook another ½ hour.

4. Before serving taste for salt & pepper; add the vinegar.

TIP: If you eat the lentils the day after they might be a little thick & dry; boil ½ cup of water & add to the lentils. Warm for a couple of minutes.

TIP: If you have any leftovers (I seriously doubt that!), puree the lentils & add a few spoonfuls of stock or milk. YUM!

More of My Spanish Recipes

Keywords: Soup, Vegetarian, Spanish/Portugese, Appetizer, Beans, Main Dish, Lunch, Easy, Dinner

( RG548 )