French Green Lentils

2 whole cloves
1/2 onion, peeled
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 medium carrot, peeled, halved crosswise
1 celery stalk, halved crosswise
2 garlic cloves, peeled
1 slice bacon
1/2 cup dried French green lentils
1 3/4 c. water
1 bay leaf
2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley

Insert cloves into onion. Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion, carrot, celery, and garlic; sauté until beginning to brown, about 10 minutes. Add bacon and sauté until crisp, about 5 minutes. Add lentils; stir 1 minute. Add 1 3/4 cups water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and bay leaf; bring to boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes. Remove from heat (some liquid may remain in pan). Discard onion, carrot, celery, and bay leaf. Stir in parsley. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.
a generous 1/2 cup is one serving.


Number of Servings: 4

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user KEEYAHWE.