Well, I was planning to share the winners of our “Pear Cheeeeeese!!!” photo contest in Russia today, but unfortunately Russia is still on its extended holiday for the New Year, so I wasn’t able to get the final photos. So those will be something to look forward to for next time!

Instead, here is a recipe from Germany for Savory Lentil Stew with Red Wine Anjou Pear.  As you can tell from the beautiful photo, it is a delicious meal that will warm you up in this winter weather!

Savory Lentil Stew with Red Wine Anjou Pear

Ingredients

1 onion

2 tablespoons oil

50 ml (about 1/4 cup) Noilly Prat (Vermouth)

400 g (14 oz) lentils

1 l (4 1/4 cups) vegetable stock (instant)

250 ml (1 cup) red wine

50 ml (1/4 cup) red wine vinegar

6 tablespoons maple syrup

4 USA Anjou pears

1 leek

40 g (1 1/2 oz) dried cranberries

Salt, pepper

Chopped parsley for garnish 

Directions

1. Peel onion and dice. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Add onions and steam until golden. Deglaze with Noilly Prat. Add lentils and stock.  Bring to boil, cover and let lentils cook for 25-30 minutes until soft.
2. Add red wine, vinegar and maple syrup to a pan and let it boil for 5 minutes. Peel pears and cook in stock 6-8 minutes until soft, while turning the pears from time to time.
3. Clean leak, wash and cut in rings. Heat up remaining oil, add leek and let steam. Mix leek and cranberries, add to lentils and season with salt and pepper.
4. Remove pears from stock and keep warm. Reduce stock by boiling on high heat. Season lentil stew with stock to sweet-sour. Arrange pears with lentil stew. Serve garnished with parsley and enjoy!

Serves 4.  Preparation time approx. 45 minutes