Lentils for prosperity in the New Year

Italian remedy: add bay leaf to your soups and stews to aid digestion. We often drink homemade bay leaf tincture with sugar to help tummy ailments. These  leaves are from my cousins' land in Cefalù, Sicily. 

Helpful hint: always pick through your lentils because you never know what you'll find in your bag. Tonight's bag was the most contaminated with foreign objects that I've ever opened in my life. 

Sweat mirepoix in fat. Deglaze. Add cleaned lentils and water or stock. Simmer an hour or so. Season and add liquid if necessary as it cooks. 

Finish with olive oil. 

TFC bumped them up with roasted chestnuts and cream.