Linguine Lentils and Chard

Linguine Lentils and Chard
 
 12 ounces of Swiss Chard
 1 cup of Lentils, rinsed and drained
 1 medium Onion, finely chopped
 2 Cloves Garlic, minced or pressed
 1 teaspoon of Cumin Seeds, coarsely crushed
 1/2 teaspoon of Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
 1/8 teaspoon of Coarse Ground Black Pepper
 2 cups of Water
 12 ounces of Dry Linguine
 Salt
 6 ounces of Neufchatel Cheese, room temperature
 Grated Parmesan Cheese, optional

Instructions:

Rinse and drain chard well. Trim off coarse stem ends; then cut stems crosswise into 1/4-inch-wide strips and set aside. Cover chard leaves and refrigerate. In a 3-quart or larger electric cooker, combine chard stems, lentils, onion, garlic, cumin seeds, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pour in water. Cover and cook at low setting until lentils are tender when mashed with a fork (6 to 7 hours). Cut chard leaves crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide strips; stir into cooker. Increase heat setting to high; cover and cook until chard is wilted and bright green (about 15 minutes more). Meanwhile, in a 5- to 6-quart pan, cook linguine in 3 quarts boiling water just until tender to bite (10 to 12 minutes); or cook according to package directions. Drain well; pour into a warm wide 4-quart bowl. Season lentil sauce to taste with salt. Add lentil sauce and Neufchatel cheese to linguine; mix lightly to coat well. Offer Parmesan cheese to add taste, if desired. Makes 6 servings. Recipe By : Sunset Crockery Cookbook - Page 73 Posted to Master Cook Recipes List, Digest #94 From: Gerald Edgerton <jerrye@wizard.com> Date: Wed, 22 May 1996 08:38:02 -0700