Cabbage Lentil Salad Food

LENTIL, CABBAGE AND BACON SALAD

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a colander and rinse them under cold water, removing and discarding any damaged specimens or foreign material. Place the lentils in a pot with 2 1/2 cups of lukewarm water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat, cover and boil very gently until tender, about 20 minutes for domestic lentils or 35 to 40 minutes for imported lentils.
• Meanwhile, place the bacon pieces in a skillet and cover them with lukewarm water, separating the pieces. Bring to a boil over high heat and immediately drain in a colander. Rinse under cool water and return the bacon to the skillet. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bacon is brown and has rendered its fat. Add the onions and croutons to the bacon and saute for 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until the croutons are brown on all sides.
• Place the dressing ingredients in a salad bowl and add the cabbage. Toss to mix. Drain any remaining liquid from the lentils and add them, while still hot, to the cabbage. Mix well.
• When ready to serve, add the croutons and bacon to the salad bowl, toss well and serve immediately.

LENTIL SALAD WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees. Place vegetables in one layer on one or two large rimmed baking pans, toss with olive oil and salt. Place thyme and rosemary on top of vegetables, cover pans with foil and roast for 25 minutes. Remove foil, stir in bacon and bake for 30 to 40 minutes longer, until vegetables are tender and golden all over.
• In a large pot, combine lentils, 6 cups water, garlic, bay leaf, salt and pepper and bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, until lentils are tender.
• In a small bowl, whisk together vinegar, mustard and salt. Then whisk in olive oil.
• Drain lentils and discard bay leaf; keep or discard garlic as you like. Toss lentils with half of the sherry vinaigrette while still warm. Add more salt, olive oil and vinegar as needed.
• Toss radicchio with enough of remaining vinaigrette to lightly coat it and arrange it on a platter. Combine lentils and roasted vegetables, adding more of the vinaigrette to taste; spoon mixture on top of radicchio. Garnish with scallions, parsley, sea salt and black pepper. Squeeze tangerine juice over the lentils and drizzle with more olive oil if needed.

STEWED LENTILS WITH CABBAGE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a 3-quart saucepan or casserole over medium heat. Add the chopped half of the onion and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add 2 of the garlic cloves and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the lentils, water, chile, and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt and the potatoes and continue to simmer gently for 30 minutes, until the lentils and potatoes are tender. Add more salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
• While the lentils are simmering, cook the cabbage with the remaining onion and garlic in a wide lidded skillet. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and add the sliced onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and the garlic and stir together until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the cabbage and turn the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring, until the cabbage begins to wilt. Add 1/4 cup water, turn the heat down to medium, cover and simmer 10 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and sweet, stirring from time to time. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
• Spread the cabbage over the bottom of the pan in an even layer. Top with the lentils and potatoes. Sprinkle on the parsley, and serve in wide soup bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan if desired.