Lentils stew with smoked bacon.

I recently discovered lentils recently and i have to say that i am very impresed at how good they are and they can replace beans or peas in recipes, from now on i will cook a lot more with them.

For this recipe you will need the following ingredients:

500 gr of dry lentils,
5-600 gr of smoked bacon or ham,
3 medium onions,
3 cloves of garlic,
3 tablespoons of tomato paste,
2-3 bay leaves
1 tablespoon of bell pepper paste,
1 tablespoon of cumin seeds,
1 teaspoon of smoked sweet paprika,
1 vegetable stock cube,
2 tablespoons of wheat flour,
some oil for sauteing onions,
salt and pepper to taste.



First thing you have to do is soak the lentils in some hot water for one and a half hours.

While your lentils are soaking you should start chopping the onions, after your lentils are hydrated you are ready for the cooking.

Put some oil in a pot and start sauteing the onions until they get soft, then add your bacon and the garlic colves whole and fry them together, and also add the bell pepper paste and the bay leaves.

After the sauteing is done add the cumin seeds and your lentils, then add water just enough to cover and the tomato paste.

Boil for about 15-20 minutes or until the lentils are done, turn down the heat and mix 2 tablespoons of wheat flour with some water until you get a thick liquid, and add this liquid to the pot and stir until its well mixed.

Just before you are done add the smoked paprika, salt and pepper.
(If you cant find bell pepper paste just chop about half a pepper really smal and saute with the onions)

Serve this with some bread and some pickles or sauerkraut.

Enjoy and i hope you like my recipe.

If you have any ideeas about recipes that i should make next please leave a comment.