Lentils With Pancetta And Cream Recipes

PASTA WITH PANCETTA AND LENTILS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook as the label directs; drain.
• Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pancetta and cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 7 minutes. Add the onion and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic begins to brown, about 2 minutes. Stir in the lentils, then add the tomatoes, 2 cups water, the basil and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Increase the heat to medium high and bring the sauce to a boil; cook 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Add the pasta to the sauce along with half of the parmesan. Season with salt and toss. Divide among bowls; drizzle with olive oil and top with the remaining parmesan and more basil.

LENTILS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a medium pot. Add water to cover by 2" and bring to a simmer. Add the carrot, onion, celery, mustard and pancetta, and simmer until lentils are just tender, about 20 minutes. Remove and reserve 1/4 cup of cooking liquid; drain and discard the rest.
• Remove and discard the vegetables. Remove the pancetta, chop coarsely and return to the lentils. Add just enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten the lentils, then add oil, salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature 1-2 hours to meld the flavors. (Can be refrigerated up to 3 days, but serve at room temperature.).

LENTILS WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• To make the lentils, place all the ingredients in a deep saucepan and cover with 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the lentils are al dente. Discard the vegetables. Pour the lentils and their liquid into a bowl and place in the refrigerator to cool. When cooled, strain the lentils, reserving 1 cup of the liquid.
• Heat the butter in a sauté pan over medium heat and add the pancetta. Render the fat from the pancetta and saute until slightly crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the carrots, celery, shallot, and garlic and cook until tender, an additional 3 to 4 minutes. Add the lentils and the reserved cooking liquid, then bring to a boil. Turn off the heat, stir in the parsley and olive oil, and taste for seasoning. Serve hot.

WARM LENTIL SOUP WITH PANCETTA

Steps:

• Sauté pancetta in heavy large pot over medium-high heat until crisp and brown. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain (do not clean pot). Spoon 1 tablespoon drippings into medium skillet and reserve.
• Add celery, onion, carrot, bacon, garlic, bay leaves, and thyme to remaining drippings in pot and sauté until vegetables are soft, about 8 minutes. Add lentils and stir 1 minute. Add 10 cups broth; bring to simmer. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until lentils are soft, about 1 hour. Discard bay leaves and garlic. Using slotted spoon, transfer 2 cups lentils to small bowl; cover and reserve. Working in batches, puree remaining soup until almost smooth. Return to pot. Add cream and vinegar. Thin with more broth to desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
• Reheat pancetta drippings in reserved skillet over medium-high heat. Add green onions; sauté until wilted, about 1 minute.
• Divide soup among bowls. Spoon lentils in center of each bowl, dividing equally. Garnish with pancetta and green onions and serve.
• *Pancetta, Italian bacon cured in salt, is available at Italian markets, some specialty foods stores, and some supermarkets.

PASTA WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a large Dutch oven and heat over medium heat. Cut the pancetta into 1/4-inch strips and add them. Cook until they begin to render fat, about 3 to 4 minutes. Add the onion, celery, carrot, and bay leaves. Cook until wilted, about 5 minutes. Add crushed tomatoes and bring to a simmer. Cook until thickened, about 10 minutes.
• Once it's thickened, add lentils, water, and the tablespoon of salt. Bring to a simmer, cover, and cook until lentils are just tender, about 30 minutes.
• Add the ditalini, and cook, covered, until pasta is al dente, about 8 minutes. Serve with a drizzle of olive oil and some grated cheese.

LENTILS WITH PANCETTA AND CREAM

Steps:

• Place lentils and sage in a heavy saucepan, cover with water to a depth of one inch, bring to a boil, then lower heat and simmer gently until the lentils are just tender, about 40 minutes. Drain the lentils.
• Cook the pancetta in a large skillet, preferably nonstick, until it is lightly browned. Add the shallots and cook over medium heat until the shallots are golden, about seven minutes. Stir in the cream, bring to a boil, lower heat and add the drained lentils.
• Cook over low heat, stirring, about 10 minutes, until the cream has thickened enough to cling to the lentils. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve.