It seems that lentils bring good luck and the tradition wants them as the typical dish of the New Year’s Eve, next to cotechino, the pork sausage, or boiled meat. But it is a food rich in protein and iron and a great meat substitute, ideal for a vegetarian diet. Here there is a simple and tasty way to prepare them.
Ingredients: 300 g lentils, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 stalk celery, 1 clove garlic, 1 bay leaf, 2 ripe tomatoes, 50 g smoked bacon finely diced, 300 ml vegetable stock, 1 sprig rosemary, 2 sage leaves, 1 sprig thyme, 3 or 4 tablespoons extra vergin olive oil, salt and pepper
How to prepare
Clean and wash the lentils, drain and toast them in a large pan with two tablespoons of oil. Add the finely chopped vegetables, bay leaf, tomatoes (after removing the skin and seeds) the bacon and add 2 ladles of hot vegetable stock. Cook for 30-40 minutes with the lid on, season with salt and pepper and add the chopped herbs.
The recipe is by Antonia Polese.
