• 225g/8oz brown, green or yellow lentils, soaked and rinsed

Put the lentils, onion, carrot, garlic, cloves and bay leaf into a large pot and cover with some salted water. Bring to the boil, then reduce the heat, cover and simmer gently for about 30 minutes, until the lentils are just tender. Drain in a colander and rinse. Throw out everything except the lentils and carrot. Chop the carrot into dice, mix with the lentils and transfer to a serving bowl.</