French-Style Green Lentils

Name: French-Style Green Lentils
Ingredients: 5 large sprigs Italian parsley; 4 sprigs fresh thyme; 2 bay leaves; 1 teaspoon black pepper corns; 2 large onions , halved, skin on; 8 whole cloves; 1 pound (about 2½ cups) French green lentils; ¼ cup olive oil; 1 package (6 ounces) smoked tempeh strips; 4 leeks , white part only, split lengthwise, well washed, sliced; 6 medium carrots , scrubbed, sliced into ¼-inch rounds; 2 ribs celery , split lengthwise and sliced into ¼-inch pieces; 4 to 6 cloves garlic , finely chopped; Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cookbook

Passionate Vegetarian

Published by Workman

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This image courtesy of Joseph DeLeo

Lentilles du Puy—a.k.a. French or green lentils—are smaller and more flavorful than our common brown lentils. They also hold their shape well. Try them in this vegetarian version of the traditional French treatment, with tempeh bacon and olive oil standing in for the usual bacon. That and the extra ration of vegetables sautéed in the tempeh-flavored oil make for an exceptionally tasty dish. The herbs are tied up in a piece of cheesecloth, called a bouquet garni, so they can steep in the cooking beans and then be retrieved without fishing through the whole bean pot.

Serves4 to 6

CostModerate

Total Timeunder 2 hours

Make Ahead RecipeYes

Kid FriendlyYes

One Pot MealYes

OccasionBuffet, Casual Dinner Party, Family Get-together

Recipe Courseside dish

Dietary Considerationegg-free, gluten-free, halal, high fiber, kosher, lactose-free, peanut free, tree nut free, vegan, vegetarian

Five Ingredients or LessYes

Mealdinner, lunch

Taste and Textureherby, nutty, savory, smoky, spiced

Ingredients

5 large sprigs Italian parsley
4 sprigs fresh thyme
2 bay leaves
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
2 large onions, halved, skin on
8 whole cloves
1 pound (about 2½ cups) French green lentils
¼ cup olive oil
1 package (6 ounces) smoked tempeh strips
4 leeks, white part only, split lengthwise, well washed, sliced
6 medium carrots, scrubbed, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
2 ribs celery, split lengthwise and sliced into ¼-inch pieces
4 to 6 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

Make the bouquet garni by placing the parsley, thyme, bay leaves and peppercorns in a 6-inch cheesecloth square (you’ll need to sort of fold the parsley branches). Pull the ends up to make a little bag and tie it closed with kitchen string.
Halve the onions lengthwise and stud each half with 2 cloves.
Place the lentils in a medium cooking pot with enough water to cover by 2 inches. Add the bouquet garni and clove-studded onion halves. Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Lower the heat to a simmer and simmer, uncovered, until the lentils are almost tender, about 20 minutes.
As the lentils cook, heat the oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. When the oil is good and hot, add the tempeh strips and sear, turning once, until the tempeh is browned, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Remove the tempeh from the skillet and let cool slightly. When cool, slice into 1-inch pieces. Set aside. Do not discard the oil.
Return the skillet and oil to medium heat. Add the leeks and sauté until softened but not colored, about 4 minutes. Add the carrots and celery and sauté until the vegetables have softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Remove from the heat and set aside.
Back at the lentil pot. Using a pair of tongs, fish out and discard the clove-studded onion pieces and the bouquet garni. Stir the sautéed vegetables and any oil clinging to them into the lentils. Continue cooking the lentils until tender, another 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the reserved tempeh. Add salt and pepper to taste and serve hot or at room temperature.