Pasta with ground beef, lentils and yoghurt sauce

Inspired, in a way, from the recipe of "Chickpeas with ground beef" this is another delicious way to use dried pulses with a whole new approach. An unusual combination of ingredients which in the end offers such a hearty and tasty meal

Adapted from a recipe of Argyro Barbarigou, a prominent Head Cook and food writer in Greece
Check out her great site Argiro for more delicious recipes

Ingredients (for 4 people):
500gr. short shape pasta (of your choice)
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 carrot, finely chopped (I prefered coarsely grated)
600gr. ground beef
1 tea-cup of fine brown lentils
2 tbsp of tomato paste
1/2 tsp of sugar (optional -my addition)
1 sprig of fresh thyme (I've also used fresh oregano)
1 bay leaf
1 glass of white dry wine (optional -my addition)
1/3 tea-cup of olive oil
salt
pepper
300gr. Greek yoghurt
2 tbsp of flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

Method:
The night before soak the lentils in a bowl with plenty of water. Next day, drain first in a colander and then boil in a pot on medium heat for about 10 minutes until half-cooked. Drain in a colander and leave aside.

In a deep non-stick frying pan warm the oil on medium-high heat and sauté the ground beef for a few minutes stirring with a wooden spatula until the meat changes colour. Add in the pan the garlic, the onion and the carrot and sauté for another 3-4 minutes. Pour over with the wine (if used) and stir until most of the alcohol is evaporated. Add the pre-boiled lentils, the tomato paste, the thyme, the sugar (if used) and the bay leaf and stir.

Add just enough water to cover the ingredients, season with salt and pepper and turn the heat to medium-low. Cover with a lid and simmer the food for about 20-25 minutes until the food is left with a not too thin sauce.

In the meantime, boil the pasta in plenty of salted water according to your preference and when ready drain in a colander.

Turn the pasta back to the pot and add the yoghurt and the parsley. Stir the pasta well and serve immediately pouring on top with the meat sauce.