An uncomplicated dish, rich in flavour from the slow cooking of boiling bacon, with pantry staple ingredients like apples, golden syrup and dried herbs.

Ingredients

• 2 cups green or brown lentils
• 3-4 smallish fennel bulbs, quartered
• 2 carrots, peeled and sliced
• 2 red apples, peeled and thickly sliced
• 1 onion, peeled and diced
• 1 teaspoon dried sage
• 3 cups chicken stock
• 2 tablespoons golden syrup
• 1-1.25 kilogram piece boiling bacon

Method

1. Turn the slow cooker on to low to pre-warm while preparing the ingredients.
2. Put the lentils, fennel, carrots, apples, onion, sage, stock and golden syrup into the pre-warmed slow cooker and stir to mix the ingredients evenly.
3. Sit the bacon on top and cover with the lid.
4. Cook on low for 5-7 hours or on high for 3-4 hours, or until the lentils are tender.
5. Serve the bacon thickly sliced with a hearty serving of the lentils and vegetables, garnished with parsley if wished.

Cooks Tips

Dried sage works well in slow cooking. It's a good accompaniment to starches like pulses and breads and works with pork or duck. Variations: - Use dried rosemary, thyme or oregano in place of sage. - Add 1-2 sliced chorizo-style sausages. - Add the pared rind of an orange with 1 teaspoon chopped green peppercorns. - For a touch of spice, add 1 teaspoon curry powder. - Use pears in place of apples.