New Year Lentils

The Story
In Italy it is traditional to eat lentils on new year's day as they bring good fortune for the year ahead. The lentils signify coins. I live in Australia and am married to a man from an Italian background. This dish is an appropriate start to the year for any tragic Italophile!

New Year Lentils

vegetarian lentil dish
Servings 4
Prep Time 40 mins
Cook Time 30 mins

Ingredients

  • 2 cup lentils
  • 2 medium carrots
  • 2 celery sticks
  • 1 medium onion
  • 4-5 small cherry tomatoes
  • 6 tbs olive oil
  • water
  • 1 bay leaf
  • salt and pepper

Instructions

  • Dice the onion, carrot and celery.
  • Pour the olive oil into a medium-sized pot and slowly saute the vegetables.
  • Add the lentils and the bay leaf and mix to coat them in the oil and then cover with water about 2cm above the lentils.
  • Add the cherry tomatoes whole and a few grinds of black pepper.
  • Slowly simmer until the lentils are soft. Check regularly to make sure there is enough water and add more if you need it. The consistency should be of a thick soup.
  • Add salt to taste and serve with crusty bread and a generous drizzle of your best olive oil over the top. Buon anno!!