Lentils Du Puy and Bacon Salad

French green lentils, or lentils du Puy make a great main dish salad with the smoky taste of bacon. I've been making this forever and have no idea where I got the recipe. The amounts are estimated, but more or less what I use. (Prep/cooking is estimated too, but it takes less than an hour...) This is one of my favorite summer dinners with some good garlic bread and a chilled glass of wine. When I have great tomatoes, I slice them and serve the salad on top. It makes a nice side dish and is also very portable for picnics and beach dinners.

• Ready In: 1 hr
• Serves: 4-6
• Yields: 4-6 main course servings

Ingredients

• 8  slices bacon
• 1  small onion, large dice
• 1⁄2 cup carrot, diced
• 6  cups water
• 1  lb lentils, du puy rinsed, drained
• 4  sprigs fresh thyme
• 1⁄2 cup olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar or 1⁄4 cup sherry wine vinegar
• 3  tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 1⁄2 cup red onion, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup celery, chopped
• 1⁄2 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Directions

1. Cook 6 slices bacon in heavy large saucepan over medium heat until brown and crisp. Transfer bacon to paper towels, crumble. Drain off all but about three tablespoons of bacon fat.Add onion to drippings; sauté until tender, about 10 minutes.
2. Add 6 cups water, lentils, remaining 2 slices of bacon, and thyme to the bacon fat and onion. Bring to boil, then cover and reduce to a simmer. After about 20 minutes, add carrots and continue to cook until lentils are tender, about 10 more minutes.
3. Drain lentils, let cool.
4. Whisk oil, red wine vinegar, and Dijon mustard in bowl to blend.
5. Add lentils, red onion, celery, bacon, and parsley. Toss to combine. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve at room temperature or slightly chilled.