Lentils Du Puy And Bacon Salad Recipes

LENTILS WITH BACON

Steps:

• Bring water and lentils to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat to maintain a lively simmer (medium-low) and cook, stirring occasionally until just tender, 15 to 22 minutes. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup cooking liquid (see tip*)
• Meanwhile, cook bacon in a large skillet over medium-low heat, turning occasionally, until crisp but not burnt, 7 to 10 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a towel-lined plate. Pour off the bacon fat and gently wipe out the pan with a clean paper towel. When bacon is cool enough to handle, chop.
• Return the skillet to medium-high heat, add 1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil. Add onion, celery hearts and leaves, garlic, salt and thyme and cook,stirring often until the onion is softened and the celery is crisp-tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add the cooked lentils, vinegar, smoked paprika, pepper and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the reserved cooking liquid and cook, stirring until the mixture is hot and thoroughly combined. Remove from the heat and stir in the chopped bacon, the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and parsley. Serve warm.

LENTILS DU PUY AND BACON SALAD

Steps:

• Cook 6 slices bacon in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until brown and crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towels, crumble. Drain off all but about three tablespoons of bacon fat.Add onion to drippings; sauté until tender, about 10 minutes.
• Add 6 cups water, lentils, remaining 2 slices of bacon, and thyme to the bacon fat and onion. Bring to boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer. After about 20 minutes, add carrots and continue to cook until lentils are tender, about 10 more minutes.
• Drain lentils, let cool.
• Whisk oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard in bowl to blend.
• Add lentils, red onion, celery, bacon, and parsley. Toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.

FRENCH LENTILS WITH GARLIC AND THYME

Steps:

• Place a large saucepan over medium heat and add oil. When hot, add chopped vegetables and sauté until softened, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Add 6 cups water, lentils, thyme, bay leaves and salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a fast simmer.
• Simmer lentils until they are tender and have absorbed most of the water, 20 to 25 minutes. If necessary, drain any excess water after lentils have cooked. Serve immediately, or allow them to cool and reheat later.

GREEN LENTIL AND BACON SALAD

Steps:

• Cook bacon in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until brown and crisp. Using slotted spoon, transfer bacon to paper towels to drain. Add onion to drippings in saucepan; sauté until very tender, about 15 minutes. Add 6 cups water, ham hock, lentils, 1/4 cup parsley, and 2 teaspoons thyme. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Cover and simmer until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. Using tongs, transfer ham hock to work surface. Drain lentils. Cool ham hock and lentils. Cut ham from bone; dice. Transfer ham to large bowl.
• Whisk walnut oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard in small bowl to blend. Transfer lentils to large bowl with ham. Add dressing, red onion, celery, bacon, remaining 1/4 cup parsley, and remaining 2 teaspoons thyme. Toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve at room temperature.

LENTIL, CABBAGE AND BACON SALAD

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a colander and rinse them under cold water, removing and discarding any damaged specimens or foreign material. Place the lentils in a pot with 2 1/2 cups of lukewarm water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat, cover and boil very gently until tender, about 20 minutes for domestic lentils or 35 to 40 minutes for imported lentils.
• Meanwhile, place the bacon pieces in a skillet and cover them with lukewarm water, separating the pieces. Bring to a boil over high heat and immediately drain in a colander. Rinse under cool water and return the bacon to the skillet. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bacon is brown and has rendered its fat. Add the onions and croutons to the bacon and saute for 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until the croutons are brown on all sides.
• Place the dressing ingredients in a salad bowl and add the cabbage. Toss to mix. Drain any remaining liquid from the lentils and add them, while still hot, to the cabbage. Mix well.
• When ready to serve, add the croutons and bacon to the salad bowl, toss well and serve immediately.