In Italy you eat lentils on New Years Day to give you good fortune for the year, as the lentils symbolize money, or coins. I understand that it's not New Years Day, and this isn't Italy. But what can it hurt? ;)
Prep a mirepoix of some kind, I used leeks with the carrots and celery, but you can use a regular onion of course if you'd prefer.
Cook down 2 oz of bacon or pancetta cubes until crispy, then add a small pat of butter and your mirepoix, cook until soft, about 10-15 minutes.
Add in 2 bay leaves, fresh if possible, 12 oz of rinsed green lentils, 1 qt. of stock (I used chicken), and 1 1/2c. of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, and cook until lentils are tender. It took me about 35 minutes, but it will vary depending on what type of lentils you are using. Toss the bay leaves, stir in 2 tsp. Dijon, 1 tsp. cider vinegar, and season with SnP. Cover, set aside.
Cut 1 kielbasa into 8 sections. In a pan large enough to hold them all, bring 1 1/2c. beer to a boil, along with 2 bay leaves and 2 cloves. I used a Hefeweizen, but a Belgian would be killer. Add in the smoked sausage, and lower to simmer for 10-15 minutes, rotating once or twice to heat through. Remember this type of sausage is already cooked, so you are just heating.
Make a bed of lentils, top with the sausage.
Serve with one of these! :)
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