What do you do w/ leftover green beans and mashed potatoes?

You think, 'These things are good, but not a complete meal - I need to add protein.'

You contemplate taking out another student loan to buy something porcinely exquisite at Cochon Butcher.

You reluctantly conclude that fiscal and dietary responsibility preclude such a manouevre.

You perk up upon remembering that you already have some bacon in the freezer and decide that cholesterol = shmolesterol.

- Cook 1 cup green lentils in 4 cups water (should have used broth, oh well) til almost cooked through. In the meantime, drink a gin and tonic w/ a grapefruit slice and feverishly read your current obsession.
- Render 4 pieces of bacon, chopped into quarters.
- Remove bacon pieces, add 1 chopped red onion, cook til browning.
- Add 2 star anise pieces and 1 tb cumin seeds, cook til you smell the cumin.
- Add 5 cloves minced garlic and some sprigs of thyme. Cook til garlic is golden.
- Throw in lentils. Cook til saucy, fish out anise and thyme, and add generous handful minced parsley. Put bacon back in and mix w/ leftovers.