Ingredients

6 strips bacon cut into 1/4 inch pieces

1 onion, diced small

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 cup lentils

1 bay leaf

3 and 1/2 cups chicken stock or water

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt

freshly ground pepper

Preparation

  1. Cook the bacon over medium heat in a stockpot until crisp. Remove bacon and reserve. Pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the fat. Add onion, increase the heat to medium high. Cook, stirring, until just beginning to brown, 5 minutes. Add garlic, cook, stirring until fragrant about 45 seconds.

  2. Add remaining ingredients; incerase heat to high. Heat to a boil; reduce heat to low. Simmer until lentils are tender, 30-40 minutes. Lentils can be served whole or pureed completely or partially with a stick blender. Serve garnished with reserved bacon.