• Healthy

Ingredients

1. 2 ounces lean thick-sliced bacon, cut crosswise into 1/3-inch strips (about 1/2 cup)
2. 1 medium onion, minced
3. 3 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
4. 1 tablespoon curry powder
5. 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
6. 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
7. 1 pound French green lentils, rinsed and picked over
8. 2 cups water
9. 2 cups chicken or vegetable stock or canned low-sodium broth
10. Salt and freshly ground pepper
11. 1 large European cucumber—peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and thinly sliced crosswise
12. 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
13. 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
14. 1/2 cup buttermilk
15. 1/4 cup sour cream
16. 1/2 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
17. 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
18. 1 pint grape tomatoes, halved 

Directions

1. In a large saucepan, cook the bacon over moderate heat, stirring often, until crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels and set aside. Reserve 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat in the saucepan; discard the rest.
2. Add the onion to the bacon fat and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 8 minutes. Add the ginger, curry powder, jalapeño and cinnamon and cook until fragrant, about 4 minutes. Stir in the lentils, water and stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the lentils are tender and most of the liquid has been absorbed, about 35 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, sprinkle the cucumber slices with a large pinch of salt and let stand for 15 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
4. In a small skillet, toast the cumin and coriander over moderate heat until fragrant, about 40 seconds; transfer to a medium bowl and whisk in the buttermilk, sour cream and orange zest. Stir in the cucumber slices and season with salt and pepper.
5. Transfer the lentils to a large shallow bowl. With a rubber spatula, gently stir in the orange juice and season with salt and pepper. Spoon the cucumber salad over the lentils. Sprinkle the bacon and tomatoes over the cucumbers and serve warm or at room temperature.