Smoky Ham Lentil Stew: A Comforting and Flavorful Winter Meal

As the weather turns cold, there's nothing more comforting than a warm and hearty stew. This smoky ham lentil stew is the perfect meal to warm you up on a chilly night. It's packed with flavor, thanks to the smoky ham hocks, lentils, and vegetables. Plus, it's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences.

Ingredients

* 1 tablespoon olive oil * 1 pound smoked ham hocks * 1 onion, chopped * 2 carrots, chopped * 2 celery stalks, chopped * 2 cloves garlic, minced * 1 cup dried lentils * 4 cups chicken broth * 1 cup water * 1 bay leaf * 1 teaspoon dried thyme * Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the ham hocks and cook until browned on all sides. Remove the ham hocks from the pot and set aside. 2. Add the onion, carrots, celery, and garlic to the pot and cook until softened about 5 minutes. 3. Stir in the lentils, chicken broth, water, bay leaf, and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. 4. Add the ham hocks back to the pot and cook for an additional 30 minutes, or until the meat is fall-off-the-bone tender. 5. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot with crusty bread or rice.

Tips

* For a vegetarian version of this stew, omit the ham hocks and add an extra cup of lentils. * To make this stew in a slow cooker, combine all of the ingredients in the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours. * If you don't have any smoked ham hocks, you can substitute regular ham hocks or even a ham bone. * This stew is even better the next day, so feel free to make a big batch and enjoy it all week long.

Variations

* Add a cup of chopped greens, such as spinach, kale, or collard greens, to the stew in the last 10 minutes of cooking. * Stir in a cup of shredded cheese, such as cheddar or Monterey Jack, to the stew before serving. * Top each serving of stew with a dollop of sour cream or yogurt. * Serve the stew with a side of crusty bread or rice. This smoky ham lentil stew is a delicious and comforting meal that's perfect for a cold winter night. It's easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. So next time you're looking for a warm and hearty meal, give this stew a try.