Most people in the UK have declared battle against the Beast From The East! If you want to keep warm, why not try making a typical healthy Canarian dish to keep away the winter blues. Lentils are a great source of dietry fiber and contain copper, phosphorus and maganese. They are also good for iron, protein, vitiman B1, pantothenic acid, zinc, potassium and vitaminB6. A good way to to make sure you dont catch any colds which will be flying around during the cold spell in the UK. It might just make you feel as though you are here in Lanzarote.
Ingredients
350 grams (1 1/2 cups) of small dark lentils – put them to soak the night before in water to cover
*Note: nowadays many lentils are sold as quick cooking and don’t need soaking.
100 grams (3.5 oz) red stewing chorizo sausage – lightly pricked over with tines of a fork
50 grams (1.7 oz) salted tocino pork fat – cut into large diced pieces
1 TBSP flour
2 carrots finely diced
2 medium leeks, using only white stems sliced finely in rounds
1 or 2 lg cloves garlic (optional but I wouldn’t leave it out) – pass through garlic press
2 cups beef broth (or 2 Knorr beef cubes)
1 bay leaf
fresh rosemary – small sprig
olive oil – about 1/4 cup
Method
1. Soak lentils the night before in water to cover.
*Note: some lentils are sold as quick cooking and don’t need soaking.
2. Next day drain and rinse lentils, put aside.
3. Heat olive oil in heavy cooking pot. When sizzling, add carrots, garlic and leeks. Lightly brown while stirring.
4. Add 1 TBSP flour and keep stirring for about a minute.
5. Add lentils, beef broth, whole chorizo, tocino, laurel and rosemary
6. Put on lid and simmer very gently for 1 1/2 – 2 hours. Check after 1st hour and add more water if needed.
7. Adjust seasoning and serve.