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Sauteed Leeks with Bacon and Lentils

These lucky Sauteed Leeks with Bacon and Lentils are perfect as a side dish or as a main served over rice with a fresh salad.

Sauteed Leeks with Bacon and Lentils

On New Year’s Day, I wanted to fill our table with as many lucky foods as possible — including the Banana Cornbread and this rich, delicious lentil dish. We could definitely use a little luck as we head into 2013 — it has to be a better year.

And so far, it’s been mostly good. The kids returned to school this week. They came home on Thursday and Friday, happy to be back in class and excited to return to our routines — however changed they are. Therapy dogs made school time special, and Paige loved being able to visit the school library again. For me, work has been off to an amazing start this year — which makes me so happy and excited for things to come.

So far, 2013 is pretty good — thank goodness.

But life is never all good (or all bad), is it? So, there is one thing that’s not all smiles and excitement right now. One of our beagles, Scrappy, isn’t well — he’s recovering from a neck injury and had a set back last night. But I am hoping our new course of treatment will help him heal. He just has to — he’s an important part of our little family.

As for these lucky Sauteed Leeks with Bacon and Lentils? This is one recipe you want to bookmark and make. Trust me.

The sweet sauteed leeks, salty bacon and meaty lentils combine to make it a lovely rich and delicious dish that’s perfect for ringing in a lucky New Year (we had it on New Year’s this year!) or anytime you want to warm up on a cold night. This recipe originally appeared on Sarah’s Cucina Bella in 2009. At the time, I talked about how while it’s not the prettiest dish, it is amazingly delicious.

It’s a lovely side dish — but it can also be the star of a meal when served over rice with a big salad. For bigger appetites though, you may want to double the recipe.

Hope you are having a lovely weekend.

Sauteed Leeks with Bacon and Lentils

Sauteed Leeks with Bacon and Lentils

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

These lucky Sauteed Leeks with Bacon and Lentils are perfect as a side dish or as a main served over rice with a fresh salad.

Ingredients

  • 4 slices bacon
  • 1 bunch leeks, white and light greens chopped
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 1/2 cup red lentils
  • 1/2 cup water
  • salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. In a large skillet set over medium heat, cook the bacon to crisp. Remove the bacon to a paper towel lined plate.
  2. Add the leeks to the pan and cook in the bacon fat, stirring frequently, for 6-8 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  3. Stir the chicken broth, lentils and water into the leeks. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Uncover -- if there is any liquid left in the pan, allow it to evaporate before removing from heat.
  4. Remove from heat and season well with salt and pepper (to taste). Then crumble the bacon over the lentils. Serve.

Notes

This is also delicious served over rice, however for big appetites, you may want to double the recipe or serve with a big, delicious salad.

Barb | Creative Culinary

Sunday 6th of January 2013

I've loved lentils since I was a little girl; my mom made the ugliest split pea and lentil soups...but they were both so good it's was almost more like the 'so ugly it's cute' pet - we looked past their appearance because they were such favorites. Beyond that...this doesn't even look ugly to me; it's calling my name!

I hope your pup gets better; his name implies that he will but I'll add him to my prayers; you guys deserve a break.

Minnie(@thelady8home)

Sunday 6th of January 2013

O wow! This looks yummy. Sounds so delish and healthy.

Gwen @SimplyHealthyFamily

Saturday 5th of January 2013

Wow, this sounds so good! It's hard to make healthy food look pretty but for those of us who truly appreciate flavorful and healthy food appearance is not everything, unless we're talking about how we look in our skinny jeans ;)

Sarah W. Caron

Saturday 5th of January 2013

Thank you, Gwen! And you're right, appearance isn't everything.

Jeri

Thursday 17th of September 2009

I think it looks wonderful...ugly, no...tasty, yes!

Mangochild

Tuesday 15th of September 2009

I have neither lentils nor bacon available, but I *do* have lots (lots) of leeks... and both black and adzuki beans. I think this will adapt nicely, don't you? And as for the appearance - the best dishes often don't show their deliciousness on the outside... all the more for those who can look for the tastiness to enjoy!

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