Name: Stracci with lentils and lardo
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 100 gm lardo, cut into 5mm pieces (see note); 1 Spanish onion, finely chopped; 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped; 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped; 1 stalk celery, finely chopped; 250 gm small green lentils; 2 fresh bay leaves; 1½ litre chicken or vegetable stock (6 cups); ½ qty fresh pasta; To serve: finely grated parmesan

Ingredients

100 gm lardo, cut into 5mm pieces (see note)

1 Spanish onion, finely chopped

2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped

1 stalk celery, finely chopped

250 gm small green lentils

2 fresh bay leaves

1½ litre chicken or vegetable stock (6 cups)

½ qty fresh pasta

To serve: finely grated parmesan

Method

Main

1.Heat a large saucepan over medium heat, add lardo and sauté for 5 minutes or until golden. Add onion and garlic and cook for 5 minutes or until softened. Add carrot and celery and cook for another 2 minutes. Add lentils, bay leaves and stock and simmer for 45 minutes or until lentils are tender and stock is reduced. Season to taste with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper.

2.Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the boil over high heat. Cut fresh pasta into rough pieces, then add to boiling water and cook for 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, add stracci to lentils and stir to combine. Serve scattered with parmesan.