Mediterranean Style Roasted Red Pepper And Lentil Salad 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.

MEDITERRANEAN LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the lentils: Rinse and put in a medium saucepan. Cover with 4 cups water and add bay leaf, thyme sprig and a large pinch of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce heat and simmer gently with lid ajar for 20 to 25 minutes, until lentils are tender. Set pot aside and let cool to room temperature.
• Put the potatoes in another saucepan, cover with water and add a heaping teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to brisk simmer. Cook about 15 minutes, until cooked through when probed with a paring knife. Drain and set aside. (If desired, use a paring knife to remove skins from potatoes while still warm.) Cut in halves or quarters.
• While lentils cook, make the vinaigrette: In a small bowl, stir together vinegar and garlic. Season with a good pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk in the oil. Taste and adjust. Stir in oregano.
• Put the cherry tomatoes in a bowl. Drain onion slices, and add to the tomatoes along with roasted pepper strips. Season with salt, then add half the vinaigrette (well whisked). Toss to coat.
• To assemble salad, drain lentils and transfer to a large low, wide bowl or platter and let cool for 10 minutes. Add remaining vinaigrette, sprinkle with a little salt and toss gently. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Top lentils with tomato-onion-pepper mixture. Arrange anchovy fillets, tuna (if using) and eggs on top. Sprinkle with mint and parsley. Arrange halved or quartered potatoes around the perimeter. Garnish with basil leaves, olives and feta. Sprinkle a pinch of oregano over the salad.

LENTIL & RED PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• Tip the lentils and peppers into a bowl with the radishes, olives, vinegar and oil, and mix well. Season to taste.
• Separate the lettuce leaves and put onto a large plate. Spoon over the lentil salad and scatter with the feta.

ROASTED PEPPER AND LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Bring lentils and water to boil in a saucepan over high heat.
• Reduce heat, cover and simmer until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes.
• While the lentils are cooking, char the red pepper over a high flame on the stove until the skin is blackened and blistered.
• Place it in a paper or plastic bag for 10 minutes to get the skin to further loosen.
• Remove skin from pepper and dice into 1/2 inch pieces.
• Set aside.
• Drain lentils and transfer to a large bowl.
• Add vinegar, oil, garlic, peppers and basil; toss to combine.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Place salad onto serving platter/bowl or individual plates.
• Top with feta crumbles.
• Serve warm or chilled.