Fall

Warm Lentil Salad with Bacon

December 28, 2010
5
1 Ratings
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

What could be better than a warm bowl of tangy, smoky lentils on a cold night? This recipe was inspired by an appetizer I tried a very long time ago at Bistro Jeanty in Yountville. It was simple, but really flavorful. It was also topped with a thin slice of foie gras, which I've left out of my recipe. Because the lentils are cooked a short time, they stay firm--a plus for eaters who are squimish about texture. I serve this as a side dish or a main course in place of pasta. It also travels well. —Lori Lyn Narlock

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 cup uncooked yellow lentils
  • 2 cups chicken stock or water
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 2 ounces bacon, diced fine
  • 1/2 yellow onion, diced fine
  • 1 carrot, diced fine
  • 1 stalk celery, diced fine
  • 1 shallot, diced fine
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
  1. Combine the lentils, stock and thyme in a medium saucepan. Cover and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 15 minutes until tender. Let sit uncovered.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a small skillet over medium high heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring as needed, for 6 to 8 minutes until crispy. Transfer the bacon to paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and shallot to the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes until tender.
  3. Remove the thyme stems from the lentils. Stir the vegetable mixture in to the lentils.
  4. Whisk together the vinegar and mustard in a small bowl. Pour into the skillet and cook over medium high heat for 1 minute. Pour over the lentils. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  5. Divide the lentils into shallow bowls and top with the bacon. Serve warm.
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2 Reviews

mrslarkin January 1, 2011
Yum Yum! I like the dish, too!!!
 
Midge January 1, 2011
Sounds great. What a cute dish too.