Green Lentils With Roasted Beets And Preserved Lemon Food

HALLOUMI WITH LEMONY LENTILS, CHICKPEAS & BEETS

Steps:

• Cook the lentils in a pan of boiling water for 20-25 mins or until just done. Meanwhile, squeeze the juice from one lemon into a bowl. Add the onion and scrunch together with a pinch of salt to pickle slightly. Set aside.
• Finely zest the remaining lemon and set aside for the halloumi. Squeeze the juice into a jam jar or jug. Add the oil with a pinch of seasoning and the capers - shake well and set aside. When the lentils are ready, drain and tip into a large serving bowl with the chickpeas. Toss with the dressing straight away, then toss through the beets, parsley, pickled onions and their juice.
• Heat a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the halloumi for 1-2 mins each side or until golden brown. Toss with the lemon zest, then place on top of your salad to serve.

GREEN LENTILS WITH ROASTED BEETS AND PRESERVED LEMON

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Reserve 1 beet for garnish and cut the remaining 4 into 1/2-inch cubes. Toss the cubes with a teaspoon of oil, season with salt and pepper and bake 30 to 35 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Meanwhile, place the lentils, carrot, onion, bay leaf, parsley, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small pot and add water to cover the lentils by about 3/4 of an inch. Bring to a boil, then simmer, covered, until the lentils are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Discard the herbs, drain well and transfer to a large bowl.
• To make the vinaigrette, combine the lemon juice, zest, shallot and 1/4 teaspoon salt and let stand for 15 minutes. Whisk in the olive oil and season to taste with pepper and more salt if necessary.
• To assemble the salad, quarter the lemon and scrape out the soft pulp. Finely chop the pulp and stir 2 teaspoons into the vinaigrette. Finely chop the lemon skin and add it, along with the vinaigrette, roasted beets, parsley and chopped mint, to the lentils. Toss and serve on a platter. Grate the reserved beet and use it for garnish with mint sprigs.

WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH ROASTED BEETS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Begin by roasting the beets.
• Tie onion, carrot, celery, bay leaf, and thyme sprigs together in cheesecloth. Place chicken stock in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in the lentils, season with salt and pepper, and reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well and discard the cheesecloth bag of aromatics.
• Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until lightly golden brown. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a dish lined with paper towels. Add the garlic and carrot to the pan and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the cooked lentils and bacon to the pan and stir to combine. Stir in the chopped thyme and 1 tablespoon of sherry vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Keep warm.
• To assemble, place the frisee in a large bowl, toss with half of the vinaigrette, and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the roasted beets around the outside of 4 dinner plates. Divide the greens among each plate in the center. Top the frisee with some of the warm lentils and place a slice of the goat cheese on top. Drizzle each salad with the remaining vinaigrette. Serve with slices of French bread.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Coat beets lightly with oil. Wrap beets in aluminum foil, place on a baking sheet, and roast in the oven until cooked through, approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool for 10 minutes, and then peel and slice into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, thyme and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle in the oil and whisk until emulsified.

LENTILS WITH ROASTED BEETS

Steps:

• Wrap each beet separately in aluminum foil. Place in a baking dish and roast in a preheated 375°F oven until tender, about 1 hour.
• Rinse lentils under cold running water to remove dust. Combine in a large pot with 3 cups water, onion, garlic and bay leaf. Place over medium het until boiling; reduce to low, cover and simmer until almost all the water is absorbed and the lentils are tender, about 1 hour. Add more water if they start to look dry before getting tender. Remove and discard onion, garlic and bay leaf.
• Unwrap beets and remove skins. Cut in large dice (about 1/2") and add to lentils. Season with salt and pepper, drizzle with good olive oil and garnish with scallions or parsley.

LENTIL SALAD WITH BABY BEETS & FETA

Steps:

• Bring the water, lentils & bay leaf to boil in a medium saucepan, reduce heat & simmer until tender, approx 25 minutes.
• Drain & remove bay leaf.
• Combine olive oil, lemon juice, mustard, garlic & salt & pepper, pour over lentils and lightly toss.
• Toss the dressed lentils together with the onion, beets, parsley & coriander.
• Top with crumbled feta.