Stewed Lentils with Smoked Pork Chops

Rinse the lentils in a colander. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lentils, reduce to a simmer and cook until the lentils are tender but not falling apart, about 30 minutes. Add the bay leaf and the herbs after 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, peel the onion, carrot and celery and dice finely. Cut the bacon into small cubes. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet, add the bacon and vegetables and saute until the bacon is crisp and the vegetables are tender, 2-3 minutes. Remove the herbs from the lentils and strain the lentils through a sieve. Add the lentils to the bacon-vegetable mixture, stir in the vinegar and season with salt and pepper.