Castelluccio Lentils with Tomatoes and Gorgonzola

Step 1

For the Oven-Dried Tomatoes:

Step 2

Preheat the oven to 275°. Quarter the tomatoes vertically and place skin-side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Arrange the thyme sprigs on top of them. Drizzle over the olive oil and balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with some salt. Roast for 1½ hours, or until semi-dried. Discard the thyme and allow to cool down slightly.

Step 3

For the Lentils:

Step 4

Meanwhile, place the red onion in a medium bowl, pour over the vinegar and sprinkle with the sea salt. Stir, then leave for a few minutes so the onion softens a bit.

Step 5

Place the lentils in a pan of boiling water (the water should come 1¼ inches above the lentils) and cook for 20 to 30 minutes, or until tender. Drain well in a sieve and, while still warm, add to the sliced onion. Also add the olive oil, garlic and some black pepper. Stir to mix and leave aside to cool down. Once cool, add the herbs and gently mix together. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

Step 6

To serve, pile up the lentils on a large plate or bowl, integrating the Gorgonzola and tomatoes as you build up the pile. Drizzle the tomato cooking juices on top and serve.

Step 7

Recipe from Plenty by Yottam Ottolenghi/Chronicle Books,

Step 8

This recipe originally appeared on iVillage.