The Next Food Network Star Amy Finleys Du Puy Lentils With Carrots Recipes

BASIC FRENCH LENTILS

Steps:

• Pick over the lentils, removing any stones. Rinse under cold water and drain well.
• Put lentils in a saucepan. Cover with water. Bring to a boil and cook 2 minutes. Pour into strainer and rinse with cold water. Rinse saucepan as well and return lentils to pan.
• Push the clove into the onion and place onion in saucepan. Add carrot, celery, garlic, bay leaf and stock. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook 25-30 minutes until almost tender. Skim off any solids that rise up while cooking. Season with salt and pepper and cook an additional 5-10 minutes until fully tender. Add Cognac, if using.
• Drain the lentils (save the cooking liquid if you're planning to reheat them later). Discard the garlic, bay leaf and clove. Dice the vegetables and stir back into the lentils along with the shallot, if using.
• Serve hot or at room temperature. Store lentils and cooking liquid separately in airtight containers in refrigerator up to 3 days; reheat lentils in cooking liquid in a covered saucepan over low heat.

HEARTY LENTIL SOUP - ATK

Steps:

• Fry bacon in large stockpot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until fat is rendered and bacon is crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Add onion and carrots; cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes, bay leaf and thyme; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in lentils, salt and pepper to taste; cover, reduce heat to medium-low and cook until vegetables are softened and lentils have darkened, 8 to 10 minutes. Uncover, increase heat to high, add wine and bring to simmer. Add chicken broth and water; bring to boil, cover partially, and reduce heat to low. Simmer until lentils are tender but still hold their shape, 30 to 35 minutes; discard bay leaf.
• Puree 3 cups soup in blender until smooth, then return to pot; stir in vinegar and heat soup over medium-low until hot, about 5 minutes. Stir in 2 tablespoons parsley and serve, garnishing each bowl with some of remaining parsley.

LAMB SHANKS WITH DU PUY LENTILS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Place the lamb shanks, tomatoes, stock, sugar, and oregano in a large baking dish and cover tightly. Bake for 45 minutes, then turn the shanks, add the lentils, and bake, covered, for a further 45 minutes or until the lamb is soft.
• To serve, spoon the lentils and shanks onto serving plates and top with the pan juices. Serve with creamy mashed potatoes if you wish.
• Note: Ask your butcher to trim both ends of the shank bones for you.

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 (PUY) LENTILS WITH BEETS, (VEGAN, VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• combine the beets, lentils, onion and herbs in a medium bowl.
• Mix the garlic, olive oil, mustard and lemon juice and mix with the lentil mix.
• Serve with crumbled feta on top if desired.