The Best Lentil Salad, Ever
Click for larger view
This really is the best lentil salad ever! Don't let the list of ingredients in the dressing stop you from trying this dish. The complexity of the vinaigrette is what makes it so good. You will use all of the spices again if you follow our recipes. Give this one a try.
MAKES: 8 Servings
PREP/COOK TIME: 35 Minutes
INGREDIENTS
2 ¼ cups (1 lb.) small green lentils
1 medium red onion, diced
1 cup dried currants (you could also use raisins or other dried fruit)
1/3 cup capers
1 cup packed Arugula
1/3 cup chopped Walnuts
¼ cup crumbled Goat cheese
¼ cup fresh herbs: flat-leaf parsley, cilantro, basil
Vinaigrette:
1/3 cup cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. maple syrup
1 Tbsp. strong mustard
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. ground cumin
1/2 tsp. turmeric
1/2 tsp. ground coriander
½ tsp ground cardamom
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper
¼ tsp. ground cloves
1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
1. Rinse lentils well, drain. Place in a pot and cover with a 3-4 inches of water, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Check lentils for doneness after 15 minutes, but they should take about 20 minutes in total. You will know they are cooked if they still retain a slight tooth – al dente! Overcooking the lentils is the death of this dish. Be careful!
2. While the lentils are simmering, make the dressing by placing all ingredients in a jar with a tight fitting lid and shake vigorously to combine.
3. Finely dice red onion – the salad is best if all the ingredients are about the same size. If using raisins, chop them roughly to make them a bit smaller, and do the same with the capers if they are large.
4. When the lentils are cooked, remove from heat, drain and place under cold running water to stop the cooking process. Once cooled slightly but still a little warm, place lentils in a large serving bowl and toss with dressing. Add other onion, capers, and currants. Wait until just before serving before adding in the herbs, arugula, walnuts and cheese. Otherwise, this salad can hang out in the fridge for a couple days.
STORAGE
Will keep 1 to 2 days in the refrigerator
