FRENCH LENTILS WITH ROASTED BEETS AND PRESERVED LEMON (adapted from Deborah Madison)

6 small or 3 large freshly harvested red or yellow beets

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1 C. French lentils

1 carrot, peeled and finely diced

1 bay leaf

4 sprigs parsley

2 sprigs thyme

½ t. salt

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Vinaigrette

2 T. lemon juice

1 t. lemon zest

1 medium shallot, finely chopped

¼ t. salt

freshly ground black pepper

5 T. olive oil

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1 preserved lemon about the size of a lime (available in specialty shops and sometimes at places that sell bulk olives)

2 T. chopped fresh mint

½ C. chopped parsley

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Preheat the oven to 400º F.  Wash the beets and trim the tops off.  Place them in a baking pan or wrap together in foil and roast until tender. This will take 45-75 minutes, depending on how big the beets are.  Remove and let them cool.  Peel and dice into ½-inch cubes.  Sprinkle with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. 

Meanwhile, place the second group of ingredients in a saucepan and add water to cover by about ¾ inch.  Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer, covered, until the lentils are tender: 20-25 minutes.  Discard the herb sprigs and bay leaf, drain well and transfer to a large bowl. 

For the vinaigrette, combine lemon juice, zest, shallot and ¼ t. salt.  Let stand for about 15 minutes. Add olive oil; season with more salt and pepper as desired.
                                                                                                    

To assemble the salad, quarter the lemon and scrape out the soft pulp.  Discard seeds.  Finely chop the pulp and stir 2 t. of it into the vinaigrette.  Finely chop the lemon skin and add it, along with the beets, vinaigrette, chopped parsley and mint to the lentils.  Toss. Yield: 6 side-dish servings.

Wines: dry whites, light reds, fuller-bodied reds

Compliments cheeses, cured meats, seafood