Lentilles Tièdes à la Vinaigrette

Folklore has it that lentils bring wealth and good luck in the New Year. One Latin American tradition does not involve eating food. The belief is that putting lentils in pockets or where you would like to see money will bring you wealth. In Chile, eating a spoonful of lentils at midnight will ensure a year filled with work and money. In some European countries the belief is when cooked, lentils plump up with water, symbolizing growing wealth.

Happy New Year! Wishing you a year filled with happiness and wealth! xo

                                                       Lentilles Tièdes à la Vinaigrette
                                                                        adapted from
                                                                               Paris
                                                                     Williams-Sonoma

Ingredients
1 cup Puy lentils
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 carrot, peeled and chopped
1/2 celery stalk, chopped
1 bay leaf
3 to 4 fresh thyme sprigs
3 shallots, chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh
   flat-leaf (Italian) parsley
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 tablespoons heavy cream,
   or to taste

1 teaspoon sherry vinegar, or to taste  

Directions
Pick over the lentils, discarding any stones or misshapen lentils, and rinse well. Place in a saucepan with 4 cups of water and add the wine, carrot, celery, bay leaf, thyme, half the shallots and half the garlic. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat to medium-heat, over and simmer until the lentils are just tender but not mushy and have absorbed most of the liquid. 30-35 minutes.

Drain the lentils, reserving about 2 tablespoons of the cooking liquid, discard the remaining liquid. Place the lentils and reserved cooking liquid in a serving bowl. Add the remaining shallots, garlic, and the parsley to the hot lentils and toss  to mix. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in the cream and vinegar. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve warm at room temperature.

follow Anne on twitter and Instagram @AnneFretz