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The main dish, Regional

Smoked pork shoulder with Puy lentils

Smoked pork shoulder with Puy lentils is a hearty dish for 6 people that takes about 30 minutes of active work, done in the morning for the evening. It's a very easy, budget friendly dish at €3.40 per person, with the pork and lentils both cooked ahead and reheated just before guests arrive. The trick is keeping the lentils at a gentle simmer so they stay firm.

A smoked pork shoulder served meltingly tender over Puy lentils scented with bacon and carrots, pure comfort food.

Smoked pork shoulder with Puy lentils
For
6 people
Work
30 min
Total time
2 h 30
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Very easy
Cost per person
€3.40
Calories per person
720 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Smoked pork shoulder brings that deep, salty smokiness that pairs perfectly with meat that's been slowly poached until it falls apart. The Puy lentils, cooked with bacon, carrots, and garlic, keep a bit of bite while soaking up all the flavor from the broth. It's the kind of dish that warms you up, simple to make but generous in the end, ideal for a winter family dinner.

This is a great fit for a Sunday family meal, a relaxed dinner with friends, or a fall evening when you want comfort over fuss. It pairs easily with a light starter before and something simple for dessert, since the main course does all the heavy lifting. Kids tend to love it just as much as adults do.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 3 steps, 1 h 55
  3. Before the guests arrive 2 steps, 20 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

In the morning, cook the pork shoulder in its broth while you prepare the lentils with bacon and vegetables on the side, both can wait calmly until evening. Just before your guests arrive, slice the pork and reheat it with the lentils so the flavors mingle. At serving time, plate everything in shallow bowls with a crack of pepper and a few drops of vinegar at the table.

The ingredients

6 people

Butcher

  • Smoked pork shoulder 1.2 kg
  • Smoked bacon lardons 150 g

Pantry

  • Green Puy lentils 500 g
  • Clovesoften in the pantry 2
  • Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Fruits and vegetables

  • Carrots 3
  • Onions 2
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Bouquet garni 1

Dairy

  • Butter 30 g

Allergens Lactose

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Put the pork shoulder in a pot of cold water with an onion studded with cloves, a carrot, and the bouquet garni, then bring to a simmer. 1 h 30

    If the pork is very salty, change the water after the first boil.

  2. Cook the bacon, the second onion, the diced carrots, and the garlic in a pot with the butter.

    Let the bacon render its fat before adding the vegetables.

  3. Add the lentils, cover with water, and cook at a gentle simmer, without salt, for twenty five minutes. 25 min

    Taste a lentil, it should be tender but still have some bite.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Remove the pork from the broth, let it cool slightly, and slice it into thick pieces.

    Keep the broth to reheat the lentils if they've thickened.

  2. Gently reheat the lentils and lay the pork slices on top so the flavors mingle. 20 min

    Finish with a small pat of butter in the lentils, it makes them glossy.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Serve the lentils in shallow bowls with two slices of pork and a twist of black pepper.

    Add a few drops of wine vinegar at the table, it brightens everything up.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a good quality smoked or salt cured pork shoulder from your butcher, it gives the whole dish its flavor without any extra effort on your part.
  • Never salt the lentil cooking water, the pork and bacon already bring plenty of salt, adjust only at the very end if needed.
  • Always save a bit of the pork cooking broth, it's perfect for loosening up the lentils if they thicken while waiting to be served.

The variations

  • Swap the smoked pork shoulder for salt cured pork shoulder if you can't find it, the result stays just as tender.
  • For a meatless version, skip the pork and bacon, cook the lentils in a smoky vegetable broth and finish with a drizzle of olive oil.
  • For kids in a hurry to eat, cut the pork into small cubes and stir it right into the lentils instead of serving it in slices.

What to serve it with

  • A sharply dressed green salad first
  • Country bread for sopping up juices
  • A light red wine like beaujolais

Storage

This dish keeps for 3 days in the refrigerator in a sealed container, lentils and meat together or separate. It freezes well for up to 2 months. Reheat gently on the stovetop with a splash of broth or water to loosen the lentils.

Questions about this recipe

Can I use regular green lentils instead of Puy lentils?

Yes, but regular green lentils cook faster and hold their shape less well. Start checking them at twenty minutes so they don't turn mushy.

How do I know when the pork shoulder is cooked enough?

The meat should pull apart easily with a fork but still slice cleanly with a knife. Plan on about 90 minutes of gentle simmering for a 1.2 kg piece.

Can this recipe be scaled up for more than 6 people?

Yes, just increase the lentils and use one or two pork shoulders depending on your guest count. The cooking broth is usually enough even for larger batches.

Should I soak the pork shoulder before cooking it?

If it's very salty, soaking it in cold water for an hour beforehand helps, or you can change the water after the first boil. Taste the broth before cooking anything else in it.

Can a smoked pork shoulder with Puy lentils be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 30 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 2 steps, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a smoked pork shoulder with Puy lentils?

Allow 2 h 30 in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 30 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "very easy".

How many calories are in a smoked pork shoulder with Puy lentils?

About 720 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a smoked pork shoulder with Puy lentils cost?

About €3.40 per person, that's €20.40 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains lactose. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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