Warm lentil salad with bacon

Delicious warm lentil salad recipe bursting with flavors of crispy bacon, fresh herbs, and zesty vinaigrette, perfect for a hearty meal.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup uncooked yellow lentils
• 2 cups chicken stock or water
• 4 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 60g bacon, diced fine
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced fine
• 1 carrot, diced fine
• 1 stalk celery, diced fine
• 1 shallot, diced fine
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

Instructions:

1. In a medium saucepan, mix the lentils, stock, and thyme. Cover the saucepan, then heat over medium-high heat until it boils. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 15 minutes until the lentils are tender. Let it cool without a lid.
2. In a small skillet, warm up the olive oil over medium-high heat. Cook the bacon until crispy, stirring occasionally, for 6 to 8 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the bacon to a plate lined with paper towels. Add the onion, carrot, celery, and shallot to the skillet. Sauté for about 5 minutes until they are tender.
3. Take out the thyme stems from the lentils. Combine the vegetable mixture with the lentils.
4. Mix the vinegar and mustard in a small bowl. Pour this mixture into the skillet and cook over medium-high heat for 1 minute. Then, drizzle this over the lentils. Add salt and pepper to taste.
5. Serve the lentils in shallow bowls, topped with the crispy bacon. This dish is best served warm.

Summary:

• Calories: 1355 kcal
• Fat: 44 g
• Protein: 72 g
• Carbs: 174 g
• Potassium: 2704 mg
• Magnesium: 191 mg