2 simple and delicious new recipes: Anto's Kid-Friendly Lentils and Smoked Salmon Carpaccio

Inspirational woman, Antonella Lagomarsino, a Chilean woman living and raising her family in Chicago, recently prepared lunch for me and my 2 boys and served these lentils that she makes weekly for her family along with this smoked salmon carpaccio that she often serves when entertaining.  These two recipes have quickly become 2 of my favorite go-to recipes.  They're both easy and delicious!  Enjoy!

Chilean Style Lentils: 

1 bag (16oz) lentils, rinsed, and soaked in water overnight.

1 box beef broth (32 OZ)

2 slices Bacon chopped small, or 1 mild sausage shredded.

1 medium onion (or 1/2 big onion), chopped in small squares

1 tsp minced garlic

1/2 bell pepper (any color)

1 small carrot, grated (optional)

1/3 cup rice or quinoa

1 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp black pepper

1 tsp oregano

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp cumin

Strain the water from soaking overnight, and put lentils and beef broth in a big pan. bring to a boil. In the meantime, on a frying pan, fry the bacon till crunchy, add to lentils. Lower the fire.

With the remaining oil from bacon, fry/sautee onions and garlic till browned (3 minutes aprox), (if it looks dry, add a spoon of olive oil) then add pepper and carrot (optional) and salt and peper. (5 min aprox) when ready, add this to the lentils, stir, add the rice or quinoa plus the oregano, paprika and cumin , then let it cook for 20 minute in low fire (as you do with the rice).

Serve hot on a bowl with grated parmesan cheese on top.

enjoy!!

Smoked Salmon Carpaccio
1 package smoked salmon
Olive oil
Capers
Parmesan Cheese
Fresh lemon juice

Cover a large dinner plate or platter in a thin layer of olive oil.  Lay the smoked salmon over the olive oil and sprinkle with fresh lemon juice from about 1/2 -1 lemon.  Grade fresh parmesan cheese over the top (about 1/4 cup) and add capers (a few tablespoons).  Serve with crackers, crispy bread or on it's own.

PS I've been making the smoked salmon at least weekly lately as a simple and healthy lunch served with a side salad.  Look for wild smoked salmon without nitrates for the best health benefits.