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Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Legume Love (and Some Bacon Love Too!)

Way back during Vegan Mofo, I was the lucky winner of a giveaway of dried legumes from the Pacific Northwest Farmer's Co-op. But these dried legumes are so fresh (I know that sounds like a contradiction, but stay with me here), PNW actually had to wait for their harvest to send me my prizes. When huge, 2-pound cloth bags of Spanish Pardina Brown Lentils, Green Split Peas, and Pedrosillano Cafe Garbanzo Beans finally arrived, I knew these legumes were worth the wait.

I wasn't sure which variety to try first ... until I came across the Lentil and Bacon Pot O' Stew in Hearty Vegan Meals for Monster Appetites:

This thick stew combines tender brown lentils, homemade tempeh bacon, shallots, leeks, carrots, and garlic. The smoky bacon pairs so perfectly with the lentils. I've never met a tempeh bacon recipe I didn't love, but Celine and Joni's is especially awesome. It has sesame oil it, along with Liquid Smoke. And dude, those shallots and leeks really took this dish to a special place. I always forget how much I love cooked leeks since I rarely ever buy them. Celine and Joni are geniuses!

Also, these PNW lentils seemed much tastier than the kind I typically buy in the grocery store. I guess freshness really does make a difference, even in dried foods.

If you haven't entered my Valentine's Day giveaway for a $25 Allison's Gourmet gift certificate, do so here. The contest is open until Thursday evening.

9 comments:

  1. Oh, that's a delivery I want at my house -- bags and bags of beans!

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  2. Wow - I can't wait to see what you make with all those beans! I love legumes and this stew looks great for this cold winter spell I've been having.

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  3. i have literally been living of stews in the last weeks. this one sounds and looks great too!

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  4. Wow what a great delivery! That stew looks so yummy! Can't wait to see how you use the rest!

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  5. I need to try this, I think my husband would love it. He definitely has a monster appetite! I need to get that cookbook!

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  6. This sounds so good! I am officially on a lentil kick after the last recipe I made.

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  7. I wanna make-out with that pile of lentils!

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