Recipe - Lentil Fritters On A Bed Of Wilted Beet Greens Vinaigrette

One fourth pound Red lentils; sorted and
soaked for 1hour and
drained
1 tablespoon Chopped fresh dill
1 teaspoon Paprika
One half teaspoon Salt
Three fourths pound Red potatoes; peeled
Olive oil; for frying
One fourth pound Beet greens; stems removed
1 tablespoon Balsamic vinegar
One half teaspoon Stoneground mustard
One half teaspoon Capers
Salt
Freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil

1. Place the lentils in a soup pot with enough water to cover by 2 inches.
Cook over medium heat for 20 minutes or until tender. Drain and force
through a food mill. Place the mash in a bowl, stir in the dill, paprika,
and One half teaspoon salt. Grate the potatoes into the bowl and stir to blend.

2. Form the lentil mixture into halfdollarsized fritters and fry in a
thin layer of oil until browned, about 4 minutes. Turn and brown on the
other side. Drain paper towels.

3. To make the dressing place the vinegar, mustard, capers, salt, and
pepper in a small bowl. Whisk in the olive oil until blended.

4. Parboil the beet greens in salted water until wilted. Drain and divide
among four plates. Arrange 4 or 5 fritters over the greens. Drizzle with
dressing and serve.

SERVES 4; 6070 mins; Moderately difficult. mcPER SERVING 38% cff:
244cals; 11g fat

VARIATIONS: The fritters and greens can also be dressed with a simple
drizzle of olive oil and lemon.

"Frittelle di Lenticchie all'Aceto Balsamico," or "Lentil Fritters on a
Bed of Wilted Beet Greens Drizzled with Balsamic Vinaigrette," from SOLO
VERDURA, by Anne Bianchi (Ecco, 1997). Edited by Pat Hanneman 3/98

Notes: Tuscan schools break in mid morning for merenda, a snack so broad in
spirit that it might include anything from bread with ricotta to a slice of
pound cake to the following fritters made from lentils and grated potatoes
and favored with dill (sans the beet green bed, of course). At one time,
mothers and nannies would deliver the merenda fresh from the kitchen.
Nowadays, Tuscan lads and lassies have to make do with cold leftovers.

Recipe by: SOLO VERDURA, by Anne Bianchi

Posted to MCRecipe Digest by KitPATh phannema@wizard.ucr.edu on Mar 26,
1998