Ingredients

• Ingredients
  1. 2 quarts water
  2. 1/2 cup French or Italian green lentils
  3. Salt
  4. 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
  5. 1 medium onion, finely chopped
  6. 1 shallot, minced
  7. 3/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
  8. 2 thyme sprigs
  9. 1 bay leaf
  10. 1 1/2 cups frozen peas
  11. 1 cup Italian medium-grain rice (6 1/2 ounces), such as arborio
  12. 16 Gaeta or Calamata olives (1 ounce), pitted and chopped
  13. 2 garlic cloves, minced
  14. 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
  15. 4 cups coarsely chopped romaine lettuce (about 1/2 head)
  16. 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring 2 cups of the water to a boil. Add the lentils, cover and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until almost tender, about 30 minutes. Add a large pinch of salt and simmer until tender, about 3 minutes longer. Drain the lentils and spread them on a plate to cool.
2. Heat the olive oil in a medium, enameled cast-iron casserole. Add the onion and shallot and cook over low heat, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes. Add 2 cups of the water, 1/4 cup of the parsley, the thyme, bay leaf and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer over moderately low heat for 15 minutes. Add the peas, rice and the remaining 1 quart of water. Cover and cook over moderately low heat, stirring occasionally, until the rice is tender, about 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, toss the olives with the garlic, lemon zest and the remaining 1/2 cup of parsley. Season the gremolata with salt.
4. Gently stir the lentils into the stew. Add the romaine and crushed red pepper, cover and cook over low heat until the lettuce is wilted, about 3 minutes. Season with salt. Discard the thyme sprigs and bay leaf. Ladle the stew into bowls, top with the olive gremolata and serve.