Pasta With Lentils

Directions

1. 1
   In a Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat until fragrant.
2. 2
   Add the onion and saute until it begins to soften.
3. 3
   Next, add the garlic and saute with the onion until both are soft and transparent.
4. 4
   Stir in the chicken broth, parsley, bay leaf and the lentils.
5. 5
   Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and simmer covered for about 30 minutes or until lentils are tender.
6. 6
   In the meantime, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente.
7. 7
   Stir a bit of the hot broth into the tomato paste until it's very smooth and liquid. Set aside.
8. 8
   When the lentils are cooked, stir the cooked pasta and tomato paste mixture into the lentils and season with salt and pepper to taste.
9. 9
   Bring the lentils and pasta back to a simmer and cook uncovered, about 5 minutes or so, to blend the flavors.
10. 10
    Remove the bay leaf.
11. 11
    To serve, ladle into warmed soup bowls and drizzle each serving with a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil.
12. 12
    Pass with freshly grated Italian cheese and crusty Italian bread.