Cotechino with Lentils

Ingredients

• 1 Cotechino sausage (approximately 500g / 1.1 lb) 1 Cotechino sausage (approximately 500g / 1.1 lb)
• 1 cup (200g) dried lentils 1 cup (200g) dried lentils
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 carrot, finely chopped 1 carrot, finely chopped
• 1 celery stalk, finely chopped 1 celery stalk, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable broth 4 cups (950ml) chicken or vegetable broth
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 40g, 5g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 12g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Rinse the lentils under cold water and set aside.
2. 2.
   In a large pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, carrot, celery, and minced garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened and lightly golden.
3. 3.
   Add the lentils to the pot and stir well to coat them with the vegetable mixture.
4. 4.
   Pour in the chicken or vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and let the lentils simmer for about 30 minutes, or until they are tender but still hold their shape.
5. 5.
   While the lentils are cooking, prepare the Cotechino sausage according to the package instructions. This usually involves boiling the sausage in water for a certain amount of time.
6. 6.
   Once the lentils and Cotechino sausage are cooked, remove the sausage from its casing and slice it into thick rounds.
7. 7.
   Serve the lentils in a bowl or on a plate, arranging the Cotechino sausage slices on top. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Lentils — Make sure to rinse the lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove any debris. Additionally, keep an eye on the lentils while cooking to ensure they don't become mushy. They should be tender but still hold their shape.
• Cotechino sausage — Follow the cooking instructions provided with the sausage to ensure it is cooked properly. Boiling is the most common method, but some variations may require baking or pan-frying.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, you can sauté the lentils with pancetta or bacon before adding the broth.
• Serve the Cotechino with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious juices.
• Leftovers can be enjoyed the next day, as the flavors tend to meld together even more.

Serving advice

Serve the Cotechino with Lentils hot, allowing the sausage slices to rest on a bed of lentils. Garnish with fresh parsley or a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil for an extra touch of freshness.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the lentils neatly on the plate and place the Cotechino sausage slices on top in a circular pattern. Sprinkle some chopped parsley over the dish for a pop of color.