WILD RICE WITH FRENCH GREEN LENTILS

Steps:

• Bring 2-1/2 cups water and 1 tsp salt to boil in medium saucepan.
• Add rice and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice is just tender, about 45 minutes.
• Drain.
• Return rice to pan.
• Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat.
• Add cloves, onion, carrot, celery and garlic; saute until beginning to brown, about 10 minutes.
• Add pancetta and saute until crisp, about 5 minutes.
• Add lentils; stir 1 minute.
• Add 1-3/4 cups water, 1/2 tsp salt, and bay leaf; bring to boil.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer until lentils are tender, about 35 minutes.
• Remove from heat (some liquid may remain in pan).
• Discard cloves and bay leaf.
• Stir rice into lentil mixture (can be made 1 day ahead, cover and chill).
• Simmer rice-lentil mixture uncovered over medium heat until heated through and liquid is absorbed, about 6 minutes (if made the day ahead of time, you may need to add more water or chicken stock).
• Stir in parsley.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Note: Leftovers can be made into soup for the next day.
• Just add some chicken stock, milk or cream to the rice-lentil mixture.