Red Wine Braised French Green Lentils with Seared Maple Halloumi Cheese

Ingredients

• 2 Tbsp (30 mL) unsalted butter
• 1 whole leek, split and sliced thinly (approx. 2 cups)
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 cup (250 mL) mushrooms, finely diced
• 2 Tbsp (30 mL) fresh thyme
• 2 cups (500 mL) French green lentils
• 3½ cups (875 mL) vegetable stock
• 1 cup (250 mL) red wine
• salt
• ground black pepper
• fresh thyme leaves
• 1 Tbsp (15 mL) unsalted butter
• ½ cup (125 mL) halloumi cheese, diced into ¾-inch (2 cm) cubes
• 1 Tbsp (15 mL) chopped fresh thyme
• 3 Tbsp (45 mL) maple syrup