Lentil Salad (Food Network- Alton Brown) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 lb brown lentils
1 small onion, halved
1 large garlic clove, halved
1 bay leaf
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme leave
6 slices thick-sliced bacon, cooked and chopped

Preparation

Pick over lentils, rinse and drain.
Place the lentils along with the onion, garlic, bay leaf and salt into a large 6-quart saucepan and cover with water by 2-3 inches.
Place over high heat and bring just to a rolling boil.
Reduce the heat to low.
cover and simmer until the lentils are tender, approximately 25 to 30 minutes.
Drain any remaining liquid and discard the onion, garlic and bay leaf.
Stir in black pepper and taste for salt.
Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, salt, pepper, parsley and thyme together in a large mixing bowl.
Add the warm lentils and bacon and stir to combine.
Serve warm or at room temperature.