Green Lentil Salad With Baby Spinach And Goat Cheese Food

MEDITERRANEAN POWER LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the lentils. In a saucepan, combine lentils with 3 cups of water and pinch of kosher salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, and lower heat to medium-low. Let simmer until the lentils are fully tender (anywhere from 25 to 45 minutes depending on the kind of lentils used). Be sure to check and add water if lentils seem too dry during the cooking process (they should absorb a lot of the water. Drain and set aside to cool.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine cooked lentils with chopped onions, cucumbers, baby spinach, parsley, and pomegranate seeds (arils.) Give everything a gentle toss.
• Make the dressing. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the lime dressing ingredients. Pour the dressing over the lentil salad and toss to combine. Add a sprinkle of feta cheese to finish.
• Allow a few minutes for the flavors to meld before serving.

SPINACH SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND WALNUTS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, shallot, mustard, salt, and pepper. Gradually whisk in the oil to make a creamy dressing.
• Put all but a large handful of the spinach in a large bowl. Toss with most of the dressing. Add remaining spinach and continue tossing until well coated.
• Serve immediately topped with goat cheese and walnuts.

WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium pot, combine lentils, onion, two of the garlic cloves and the bay leaf with 6 cups water. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Add salt to taste, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 25 minutes, until lentils are cooked through but still have some texture (they should not be mushy). Taste and adjust salt. Using tongs, remove onion and bay leaf. (You may cook lentils up to four days ahead and store in the refrigerator. Bring back to a simmer and proceed with recipe.)
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix together vinegar, remaining garlic, salt to taste and olive oil. Set aside.
• Place a strainer over a bowl and carefully drain lentils, reserving 1/4 cup of the broth. Return lentils to the pot. Whisk reserved broth into the dressing, then stir dressing into lentils. Add goat cheese and stir until it has melted into the lentils. Season to taste with pepper. Stir in herbs.
• Line a platter, salad plates or wide bowls with arugula. Top arugula with the lentils. Serve warm.

SIMPLE FRENCH LENTIL SALAD WITH DIJON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Combine the shallot, vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt and black pepper to taste in a bowl. Let sit 5 minutes to dissolve the salt, then whisk in the olive oil until blended.
• Put the lentils, bay leaf and thyme sprigs in a 4-6 quart pot along with 2 teaspoons salt and 6 cups water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook 15 minutes.
• Add the carrots, celery and onion to the lentils and continue cooking 5 - 10 minutes, until the lentils are tender. They will have absorbed most, but not all of the liquid.
• Drain the lentils and transfer back to the pot or to a serving bowl. Pluck out the bay leaf and thyme sprigs and discard. Pour the dressing over and stir to coat. Add the parsley and spinach and stir through.
• Sprinkle the cheese and walnuts over the salad and serve warm or at room temperature.

WARM RED LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT OR FETA CHEESE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, garlic, and ginger and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir in the lentils and vegetable stock. Let cook, covered (but with venting for the steam), for 20 minutes on medium-high heat.
• After 20 minutes, remove from heat and stir in the mint and cilantro.
• In a frying pan (or skillet), heat the other tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat, add the onions, and cook for about 10 minutes or until softly translucent and browned.
• Toss the spinach in the hazelnut oil in a bowl, then divide between 4 serving plates.
• Mash the goat (or feta) cheese with the yogurt in a small bowl and season to taste with pepper.
• Divide the lentils between the serving plates and top with the onions and cheese mixture. Garnish with lemon quarters and serve with toasted rye bread, pitas, or melba toast.

FRENCH LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND ROASTED RADISHES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Toss the radishes with 2 tablespoons of the oil on a baking sheet and season with salt and pepper. Roast until golden brown and just tender, 25 to 30 minutes, flipping them once halfway through the cooking time.
• Whisk the shallot, garlic, thyme leaves, Dijon mustard and vinegar together in a small bowl. While whisking, slowly drizzle in the 1/3 cup of oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Put the roasted radishes, cooked lentils, almonds and dressing in a large bowl and toss to combine. Allow to marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator and up to overnight.
• Before serving, toss the lentil mixture with the baby arugula. Serve at room temperature topped with the lemon zest and crumbled goat cheese.

BABY SPINACH AND LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Sort and wash lentils, place in a pan with bay leaf, cinnamon stick and stock.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 to 20 minutes or until tender; drain, discarding the bay leaf and cinnamon stick.
• While the lentils are cooking, place the minced garlic and onion in a small skillet adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of the lentil cooking liquid; cook the onions and garlic until soft and lightly browned.
• Place the lentils in a large bowl adding the olives through parsley; stir in cooked onion and garlic.
• Combine the fennel seeds, oregano and red pepper flakes, crushing to release the flavors; add to the lentil mixture.
• Drizzle with the lemon juice and olive oil.
• Add feta cheese and mix to combine, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Chill for several hours before serving.
• Divide the salad greens among chilled plates and top with lentil salad mixiture.

SPICED BUTTERNUT SQUASH, LENTIL AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Place lentils in a small bowl. Cover with cold water and soak 10 minutes. Drain.
• Cook lentils in boiling salted water until tender, but firm, about 30 minutes. Drain lentils. rinse under cold water, then drain gain.
• Preheat oven to 375 egrees. Place squash in large bowl; toss with 2 tablespoons oil, cumin, paprika and sea salt. Arrange squash in a single layer n baking sheet; roast 20 minutes. Turn squash over and roast 10 to 15 minutes longer. Cool.
• Combine lentils, pumpkin and oil from baking sheet with arugula, half the goat cheese, mint, vinegar and 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among plates; sprinkle remaining goat cheese over.

WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add lentils, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add shallots, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add carrot, celery, and bell pepper; continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes more. Stir in parsley, vinegar, and remaining tablespoon oil. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Drain lentils, and add to bowl with vegetables. Stir in spinach, and season with salt and black pepper. Crumble goat cheese into bowl, and toss gently to combine.