Cotechino Modena with Lentils

Ingredients

• 1 Cotechino Modena sausage (about 500g / 1.1 lb) 1 Cotechino Modena sausage (about 500g / 1.1 lb)
• 1 cup (200g) dried lentils 1 cup (200g) dried lentils
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 carrots, diced 2 carrots, diced
• 2 celery stalks, diced 2 celery stalks, diced
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 bay leaf 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig of thyme 1 sprig of thyme
• 1 sprig of rosemary 1 sprig of rosemary
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 25g, 8g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 30g, 4g
• Protein: 25g
• Fiber: 10g
• 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 onion, carrots, celery, and garlic. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
3. 3.
   Add the lentils, bay leaf, thyme, rosemary, and enough water to cover the lentils by about an inch. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 30 minutes or until the lentils are tender.
4. 4.
   While the lentils are cooking, place the Cotechino Modena sausage in a separate pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 2 hours or until the sausage is fully cooked.
5. 5.
   Once the sausage is cooked, remove it from the pot and let it rest for a few minutes. Slice it into thick rounds.
6. 6.
   Serve the sliced sausage on a bed of lentils, spooning some of the cooking liquid over the 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. This will ensure a clean and flavorful result.
• Cotechino Modena sausage — Simmer the sausage gently to prevent it from bursting. Pricking the sausage with a fork before cooking can also help release excess fat.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, you can sauté the sausage slices in a pan before serving to give them a crispy exterior.
• Serve the Cotechino Modena with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious cooking juices.
• Leftovers can be refrigerated and enjoyed the next day. The flavors will meld together even more, making it even more delicious.

Serving advice

Serve the Cotechino Modena with lentils as a main course. Accompany it with a fresh green salad to add a refreshing element to the meal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the sliced Cotechino Modena sausage on top of a bed of lentils, drizzling some of the cooking liquid over it. Garnish with a sprig of fresh thyme or rosemary for an elegant touch.