Best 5 Easy Warm Lentil Salad Recipes

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**Lentil Salad: A Nutritious and Flavorful Dish for Health-Conscious Individuals**

Warm lentil salad is a delectable and wholesome dish that offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures. It is a vegetarian-friendly option that is not only easy to prepare but also packed with essential nutrients. Lentils, the key ingredient in this salad, are a great source of plant-based protein, fiber, and essential minerals. Combined with a vibrant array of vegetables, herbs, and a tangy dressing, this salad becomes a delightful symphony of flavors.

This article presents a collection of enticing warm lentil salad recipes that cater to diverse dietary preferences. From the classic Mediterranean Lentil Salad with its vibrant mix of fresh vegetables and feta cheese to the hearty and protein-packed Lentil, Sweet Potato, and Kale Salad, these recipes offer something for every palate. The Spiced Red Lentil Salad brings a touch of exotic flavors with its aromatic spices and creamy yogurt dressing. For those seeking a vegan option, the Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Salad features a medley of roasted vegetables and a zesty vinaigrette. And for those with gluten sensitivities, the Gluten-Free Lentil Salad with Lemon-Tahini Dressing provides a satisfying and nutritious meal.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE



Warm Lentil Salad With Goat Cheese image

Even people who swear they don't abide beans find pleasure in the distinctive, profound flavor of lentils. They also cook quickly, and you want them on the al dente side for this salad. That means they'll be ready in 25 minutes, still a long enough simmering time to yield a savory broth. Goat cheese and lentils make a particularly good pairing; the little earthy-sweet legumes love a salty-umami complement (that's why you so often see them paired with sausage and other cured pork products), and goat cheese fits the bill. Here the combination is especially cozy, as the cheese melts into the warm lentils, bathing them in a creamy dressing. Lentils and vinegar also marry well. The key here is to add the dressing while the lentils are still warm, even if you don't plan on serving the salad warm. I spoon the mixture onto a bed of wild arugula, though regular will do if you can't find the sharper tasting, wispy wild variety.

Provided by Martha Rose Shulman

Categories     dinner, lunch, salads and dressings, side dish

Time 40m

Yield 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 cups/14 ounces green, brown or black lentils, rinsed and picked over
1 small or 1/2 large onion, halved
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 bay leaf
Salt
1/4 cup red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup broth from the lentils
3 to 4 ounces goat cheese (to taste), crumbled
Black pepper
1/4 cup minced chives or parsley, or both
2 cups wild or baby arugula

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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 427, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 50 grams, Fat 16 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 22 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 335 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams

SARAH'S QUICK WARM LENTIL SALAD



Sarah's Quick Warm Lentil Salad image

This is a quick recipe I made up one night to use some lentils I had leftover from another time. Use as a side dish or serve with something like cornbread for a vegetarian main dish.

Provided by sonicsarah

Categories     Salad

Time 40m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 cup dry lentils
1 cup chicken broth
water to cover
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium onion, chopped
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes, drained
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Steps:

  • Combine lentils and chicken broth in a pot. Add just enough water to cover. Bring to a low simmer and cook until lentils are cooked, but not falling apart, about 25 minutes. Add water when necessary in order to keep lentils covered.
  • Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat and cook onion until translucent and slightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds. Add lentils and their liquid to the saucepan. Gently fold in tomatoes. Season with salt, add in balsamic vinegar, and stir gently. Serve warm.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 266.9 calories, Carbohydrate 37 g, Cholesterol 16.8 mg, Fat 6.5 g, Fiber 16.6 g, Protein 14.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.7 g, Sodium 1034.9 mg, Sugar 5.5 g

WARM FRENCH LENTILS



Warm French Lentils image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     side-dish

Time 55m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup good olive oil
1 leek, white and light green parts, sliced 1/4-inch thick
2 carrots, scrubbed and 1/2-inch diced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 cup French green Le Puy lentils
1 whole onion, peeled and stuck with 6 whole cloves
1 white turnip, cut in half
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saute pan, add the leek and carrots, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, place the lentils, 4 cups of water, the onion with the cloves, and the turnip in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are almost tender. Remove and discard the onion and turnip and drain the lentils. Place them in a medium bowl with the leek and carrots, and add the butter.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together the 1/4 cup of olive oil, the mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add to the lentils, stir well, and allow the lentils to cool until just warm, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve. The longer the lentils sit, the more salt and pepper you'll want to add.

WARM LENTIL SALAD



Warm Lentil Salad image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 cup red lentils, picked over and washed
2 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/4 cup each finely diced radish, red, yellow and green bell pepper
1/3 cup mustard vinaigrette
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley

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.

EASY WARM LENTIL SALAD



Easy Warm Lentil Salad image

This recipe was featured in this months Family Circle. I have eliminated the sausage called for in the original recipe to make this a great, easy vegan option!

Provided by Miss_Elaine

Categories     Lentil

Time 40m

Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 6

1 1/4 cups lentils, rinsed
1 (8 1/2 ounce) jar artichoke hearts, quartered, drained and rinsed
4 scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
1 small sweet red pepper, finely choped
1 carrot, grated
1/4 cup balsamic vinaigrette (I prefer reduced-fat)

Steps:

  • Cook lentils according to package directions, 20-25 minute or until tender. Drain.
  • Stir together lentils, artichokes, scallions, red pepper, and carrot in medium sized bowl. Drizzle vinagrette over top and stir until well blended. Serve immediately.

Tips:

  • Choose high-quality lentils. Puy lentils or French lentils are a great option for this salad, as they hold their shape well and have a slightly nutty flavor.
  • Cook the lentils properly. Be sure to rinse the lentils before cooking and cook them according to the package directions. Overcooked lentils will be mushy and not very appealing.
  • Use fresh, flavorful vegetables. The vegetables in this salad should be crisp and colorful. Choose vegetables that are in season for the best flavor.
  • Make the dressing ahead of time. The dressing for this salad can be made up to 3 days in advance. This will allow the flavors to meld and develop.
  • Serve the salad warm. This salad is best served warm, but it can also be served cold. If you are serving it cold, be sure to bring it to room temperature before serving.

Conclusion:

This warm lentil salad is a delicious and healthy meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner. It is packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins, and it is also very affordable. The salad is also very versatile, so you can easily customize it to your own taste. If you are looking for a new salad recipe to try, I highly recommend this warm lentil salad.

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