½ lb dry lentils

16 chestnuts, coarsely crumbled, cooked

2 tbsp. olive oil

1 onion, diced

¼ tsp cinnamon

1 bay leaf

1 tsp fresh thyme, chopped

4 cups water, vegetable, meat or poultry stock

2 tbsp tomato paste

salt

fresh black pepper

fried bread croutons, optional for garnish

3 tbsp parsley, chopped

1 tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

Soak the lentils in water to cover for a few hours or overnight (12 hours).

Melt the pancetta fat and cook the onion over moderate heat until tender, about 8 minutes, adding salt and a little cinnamon if desired. (The cinnamon will play up the sweetness of the onion, pancetta and chestnuts.)

Add the lentils, bay leaf, thyme and water or stock, and bring up to a boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender but not falling apart.

Add the tomato paste and chestnuts and simmer for 5 minutes.

Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Garnish with fried bread croutons if desired, and chopped parsley and thyme.

Sugar: 2g

:

Calcium: 44mg

Calories: 235kcal

Carbohydrates: 36g

Fat: 6g

Fiber: 12g

Iron: 4mg

Potassium: 568mg

Protein: 11g

Saturated Fat: 1g

Sodium: 55mg

Vitamin A: 312IU

Vitamin C: 18mg