Lentil And Toasted Orzo Salad With Mushrooms And Bacon

• 1 1/4 cups orzo
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• lemon zest and juice (reserved) from 1 large lemon
• 1 1/2 cup green lentils, rinsed and picked over
• 1 bay leaf
• 4 oz bacon, coarsely chopped
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped (about 1 cup)
• 2 carrots, cut into 1/4 inch dice (about 1 cup)
• 1 celery rib, cut into 1/4 inch dice (about 1/2 cup)
• 2 teaspoons fresh thyme, finely chopped
• 16 oz cremini or button mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
• kosher salt + freshly ground black pepper

1. To make toasted orzo:rnIn large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add orzo; cook, stirring, until golden, 5 to 7 minutes. Add 2 cups water and lemon zest, season with salt and pepper, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until orzo is al dente and liquid is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes. If orzo is cooked but liquid remains, drain the orzo, return to pan, and cook about 30 seconds longer over low heat to dry the orzo.
2. To make green lentils:rnIn a medium saucepan, bring lentils, 3 cups water, and bay leaf to a boil; reduce heat and simmer until tender but not falling apart, about 20 to 30 minutes.
3. While orzo and lentils are cooking, heat a dutch oven over medium heat. Add 1 T of olive oil, and saute bacon until brown and crisp, about 8 minutes. Remove bacon with slotted spoon to paper towels. To the bacon fat, add onion, carrots, celery, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper, and saute, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are just softened, about 5 to 7 minutes. Add mushrooms and saute until tender and most of liquid has evaporated, about another 7 to 10 minutes.
4. Make vinaigrette by whisking together lemon juice, vinegar, dijon, and salt and pepper to taste. Add olive oil in a slow stream, whisking until blended well.
5. Add the lentils and orzo, parsley, and vinaigrette (a bit at a time), stirring, until just warmed through. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, and more lemon juice if you like.
6. Sprinkle the mushroom salad with crumbled bacon before serving.

orzo, olive oil, lemon zest, green lentils, bay leaf, bacon, onion, carrots, celery, fresh thyme, cremini, extravirgin olive oil, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, mustard, flatleaf parsley, kosher salt

Taken from food52.com/recipes/11191-lentil-and-toasted-orzo-salad-with-mushrooms-and-bacon (may not work)