Salmon with Lentils and Bacon

Perfect for entertaining, this simple recipe is easy on the cook since a lot can be done in advance. The smokey bacon flavor with a hint of orange enhances the richness of the salmon.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1  cup lentils
• 1  onion, minced
• 1  carrot, peeled finely chopped
• 4  slices  orange rind, 2 inch long,orange part only
• 2 1⁄2 cups water
• 4 (8 ounce)  salmon fillets, each cut crosswise into 3 pieces
• 6  slices bacon, each cut in half crosswise
• 1⁄4 cup  whipping cream
• 1⁄4 cup  snipped parsley
• 1⁄4 cup  minced chives
• 2  tablespoons  minced fresh tarragon

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, combine lentils, onion, carrot, orange peel and water.
2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 25 minutes or until lentils are tender, stirring now and then.
3. Drain, reserving 3/4 c cooking liquid.
4. Discard orange peel.
5. Return lentil mixture to pan.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. (can be made in advance).
8. Cover and refrigerate keeping lentils and reserved cooking liquid separate.
9. Preheat oven to 450^F.
10. Place salmon on baking sheet.
11. Wrap 1 bacon strip around each piece of salmon so that the bacon ends are on the bottom of the salmon.
12. Bake until opaque in center, about 8 minutes.
13. In the meantime, add enough reserved cooking liquid to lentils to moisten.
14. Mix in cream, parsley, chives and tarragon.
15. Bring to a simmer.
16. Spoon lentils onto plates and top each plate with 3 salmon pieces.
17. Serve.