Warm Lentil Salad With Onion Peppers And Spinach Food

WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH ONION, PEPPERS, AND SPINACH

Steps:

• Heat oil in small pan and cook onion until just starting to brown. Add lentils and bay leaf. Stir to coat in oil. Add vegetable stock and stir. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and simmer 40 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and lentils are tender, but not mushy.
• When lentils are cooked, remove from heat and discard bay leaf. Stir in spinach and red pepper. Season to taste and serve with fresh parsley, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.

WARM LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Bring the broth to a boil. Add the lentils and bring them back to a boil. again. Lower the heat and simmer, uncovered just until the color of lentils changes, about 6 or 7 minutes only.
• If there is excess water, then drain it. Transfer the lentils to a bowl and add the diced radish, and differently colored bell peppers. When at room temperature, but still somewhat warm, dress with vinaigrette and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Right before serving, toss with the parsley and serve as a bed for the chili scallops.

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.

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.

WARM LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Thinly slice onion and saute in a medium-sized pot until onion starts to brown.
• Add lentils and bay leaf, stirring to coat with oil.
• Add broth/stock and stir, bringing to a boil.
• Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 40 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and lentils are tender.
• While lentils are cooking, prepare the veggies.
• When lentils are ready, remove the bay leaf and remove the pot from heat. Stir in the spinach, red pepper, and tomato.
• Add salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar to taste. The balsamic should add a light zing to the flavors but not be overpowering.

LENTIL AND SPINACH SALAD WITH ONION, CUMIN AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils and place them in a large saucepan and add plenty of water to cover; tie the bay leaf, celery and thyme into a bundle and add to the pan, then bring to the boil; reduce the heat so that the water boils steadily; cook the lentils for 30-40 minutes or until they are just tender. DO NOT ADD SALT at this stage, as it toughens the lentils.
• Meanwhile, to make the dessing, mix the oil, mustard, 3 teaspoons vinegar, garlic and lemon rind, and season to taste with pepper and salt.
• Thoroughly drain the lentils and transfer them to a bowl, add most of the dressing and toss until all the ingredients are well-combined, then set aside, stirring occasionally.
• Heat the oil in a deep pan and cook the onions or shallots over a low heat for 4-5 minutes, until they are beginning to soften. Add the cumin and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the spinach and season to taste, cover and cook for 2 minutes; stir, then cook again briefly until wilted.
• Stir the spinach into the lentils and leave the salad to cool. Bring back to room temperature if necessary. Stir in the remaining dressing and chopped parsley, adjust the seasoning, adding extra wine vinegar if necessary.
• Transfer the salad to a serving platter and scatter over some parsley sprigs.
• Chef's Note: Puy lentils are named after a town in France. They are considered to have the best and most distinctive flavour and they keep both their shape and colour well when cooked, making them ideal for salads.