Lemony Lentil And Goat Cheese Salad Food

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.

WARM BEET AND LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400. Toss the beets with 3 tablespoons olive oil in a roasting pan and season with salt and pepper. Roast until tender, 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, season the nuts with salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Cut the goat cheese into 4 even rounds. Press the cut sides in the nuts and set aside. Warm the lentils in the microwave or in a saucepan and season with salt and pepper.
• Cook the bacon in a skillet over medium-high heat until crisp, 10 minutes, and transfer to paper towels with a slotted spoon. Add the shallot to the pan drippings and cook for 20 seconds. Remove from the heat; whisk in the vinegar and sugar.
• Remove the beets from the oven and warm the nut-crusted goat cheese on the hot roasting pan. Toss the frisee with the bacon and dressing and divide among bowls. Top the salads with beets, lentils and a round of goat cheese. Drizzle with more olive oil.
• Per serving: Calories 482; Fat 39 g (Saturated 12 g); Cholesterol 42 mg; Sodium 571 mg; Carbohydrate 19 g; Fiber 5 g; Protein 15 g
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and carrots and cook until tender, 5 minutes. Add the garlic and tomato paste and cook 1 minute. Increase the heat to high; add 4 cups water, the cinnamon stick and lentils. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-high, cover and simmer until tender, 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, remove the Swiss chard stems; reserve 3 leaves and chop the rest. Place the whole leaves over the lentils, cover and wilt, 1 minute. Remove the chard and cover the lentils. Season the salmon with salt and pepper and wrap a wilted chard leaf around each fillet.
• Reserve about 1 cup lentils for another use. Stir the honey and lemon juice into the remaining lentils and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the chopped chard. Place the wrapped salmon on top of the lentils, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook over medium-high heat until the fish is just cooked through, 6 minutes.
• Remove the salmon and cut into pieces. (If the lentils are dry, add a splash of water.) Divide lentils among bowls and top with salmon.
• Per serving: Calories 510; Fat 20 g (Saturated 3 g); Cholesterol 70 mg; Sodium 357 mg; Carbohydrate 45 g; Fiber 8 g; Protein 40 g

FRENCH LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Before cooking the lentils, make sure you rinse them well and pick over them to remove any small rocks or debris. Combine lentils, chicken broth and bay leaf in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down and simmer until lentils are tender, 25-30 minutes for French green lentils or 20-25 minutes for common brown or green lentils. Remove bay leaf, strain and let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine all remaining ingredients except goat cheese. Add cooled lentils and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Transfer salad to serving dish, crumble goat cheese over top and serve.
• Note: When preparing this recipe, be sure to build in at least 10 minutes to cool the lentils after they have cooked.

LEMONY LENTIL SALAD WITH FETA

Steps:

• Whisk lemon juice, dill, mustard, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Gradually whisk in oil. Add lentils, feta, bell pepper, cucumber and onion; toss to coat.

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.

SPICED PUMPKIN, LENTIL, AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Place lentils in 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.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place pumpkin in large bowl; toss with 2 tablespoons oil, cumin, paprika, and sea salt. Arrange pumpkin in single layer on baking sheet; roast 20 minutes. Turn pumpkin over. Roast until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool.
• Combine lentils, pumpkin, and oil from baking sheet with arugula, half of goat cheese, mint, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among plates; sprinkle remaining goat cheese over.
• Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.
• ** Sometimes labeled Pimentón Picante or Pimentó de La Vera Picante; available at specialty foods stores and from tienda.com.

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.

LENTIL, TOMATO, AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Cook lentils in medium pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 25 minutes, and drain well.
• Whisk together in a large bowl vinegar, green onions and mustard in large bowl.
• Gradually whisk in oil.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add lentils and let stand until cool.
• When cool, add cucumber, tomatoes, onion, dill, parsley and garlic to lentil mix.
• Season again with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and chill about 1 hour.
• Just before serving, crumble goat cheese over salad and mix gently to combine.
• If using lightly-toasted nuts, sprinkle over salad and gently mix in, reserving 2 T to garnish on the top.

LEMONY POTATO, BROCCOLI AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Boil the potatoes for 12-15 mins until tender.
• Lift out with a slotted spoon, drain well then place in a serving bowl with the oil, lemon zest and juice.
• Leave to cool.
• Add the broccoli and beans to the pan of boiling water.
• Cook for 4 mins until tender but still with some bite. Drain then cool under running water.
• Stir the drained broccoli and beans into the cooled potatoes with the dill and salt and pepper.
• Brake the goat cheese into chucks and scatter over with the pine nuts if using.
• Serve.

PEAR AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• In a small skillet, dry roasted pecans over medium heat for 1 to 5 minutes; stirring frequently. Finely chop.
• Meanwhile, arrange ½ cup salad greens on each of eight plates; set aside.
• Cut pears in half lengthwise. With a melon baler, remove seeds and make a small, round cavity in each pear half.
• Cut cheese into eight pieces; shape each into a ball. Roll in pecans and place one in each pear cavity. Arrange pears on lettuce.
• Pour vinegar into a small bowl; add sugar, whisking until dissolved.
• Add oil in a fine stream, whisking constantly until smooth. Drizzle evenly over pears; sprinkle with any remaining pecans.