Salmon with French Lentils

Yet another fabulous French recipe from Ina Garten's cookbook, Barefoot in Paris. This one is a staple in our house. It is easy, delicious and uses ingredients that are readily available. And in case you didn't know, salmon, with all its Omega-3 fatty acid is good for you. And your brain.

Make sure to find those French green lentils. They hold their shape and are much better than the boring brown lentils that become mush if cooked too long.

I always make the full lentil recipe (it serves four), even if we are only two, just so I can use leftovers as the filling for stuffed red peppers another night.

1⁄2 pound French green lentils (lentilles du Puy)

1⁄4 cup good olive oil, plus extra for salmon

2 cups chopped yellow onions

2 cups chopped leeks, white and light green parts only

1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves

2 teaspoons kosher salt

3⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

1 1⁄2 cups chopped celery (4 stalks)

1 1⁄2 cups chopped carrots (3 carrots)

1 1⁄2 cups good canned chicken stock

2 tablespoons tomato paste

2 tablespoons good red wine vinegar

4 (8-ounce) center-cut salmon fillets, skin removed

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Place the lentils in a heat-proof bowl and cover with boiling water. Set aside for 15 minutes, then drain.

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a saute pan, add the onions, leeks, thyme, salt, and pepper and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes, until the onions are translucent.

Add the garlic and cook for 2 more minutes. Add the drained lentils, celery, carrots, chicken stock, and tomato paste. Cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Add the vinegar and season, to taste.

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F.

For the salmon, heat a dry oven-proof saute pan over high heat for 4 minutes. Meanwhile, rub both sides of the salmon fillets with olive oil and season the tops very liberally with salt and pepper.

When the pan is very hot, place the salmon fillets seasoning-sides down in the pan and cook over medium heat without moving them for 2 minutes, until very browned.

Turn the fillets and place the pan in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes, until the salmon is cooked rare. Spoon a mound of lentils on each plate and place a salmon fillet on top. Serve hot.

Bon Appetit!

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And I have a little treat for all my readers. Join me next week for an interview with Claudia Strasser, creator and owner of The Paris Apartment. Any and all Francophiles and Flea Market Gurus won't want to miss this!! There is a giveway involved, so make sure you tune in!! And tell all your friends!