Clove-Scented from Soup: A Way of Life by Barbara Kafka

Ingredients

• 3 sprigs thyme
• 1 pound (450 g) brown lentils
• 4 medium cloves garlic, smashed and peeled
• ½ pound (225 g) pork belly (uncured bacon), skin (rind) removed and reserved, meat cut into ¼-inch (.5-cm) dice
• 1 bay leaf
• ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves
• 4 teaspoons kosher salt, or to taste
• 1 tablespoon good olive oil
• 2 small carrots, peeled and cut in half lengthwise, then across into ¼-inch (.5-cm) slices
• 2 medium onions, coarsely chopped