In praise of lentejas

Spanish lentil soup is thick, meaty and restorative. It has the power to revive the coldest pilgrim. Within a few spoonfuls tired pilgrim feet throb as its energy reaches the extremities. Lentejas are served everywhere in Spain especially in winter. On the Via de la Plata they were served piping hot with huge chucks of  crusty bread.

For pilgrims who want to try this miraculous cure at home here is an authentic Galician recipe for the best lentils you will ever taste: 

Ingredients:

100 grams minced meat

Pancetta  diced- I usually trim off the fat from a good slice

Chorizo a mixture of sliced and diced- about half of the curved one

Potatoes - amount to taste cut into small cubes - use a potato that doesn't dissolve

2 Carrots - diced finely

1/2 tin of tomatoes or half jar tomato sauce

Lentils - green - about half the pack

A pinch of sugar

Seasoning - salt and black pepper

3 or 4 cloves of garlic crushed and chopped finely

one or two onions

Half of a red pepper or whole small red pepper finely chopped

Method

Brown the minced meat and set aside

Then gently fry the pancetta, onion, garlic, carrot and red pepper for about 10 mins until they are soft and onions are clear but not coloured

Add the minced beef and mix in the pot

Add the Lentils and mix on the gentle heat for 2 - 3 mins

Add the tomato sauce

Season and add pinch sugar for the tomatoes

Add "enough" water

Simmer for 20 mins

Add the diced potatoes and chorizo and simmer until they are cooked

Que aproveche!