In a culinary world brimming with vibrant flavors and textures, the Lemony Lentil and Goat Cheese Salad emerges as a symphony of tastes and a feast for the eyes. This tantalizing dish, a harmonious blend of hearty lentils, tangy lemon, creamy goat cheese, and an array of crisp vegetables, offers a delightful interplay of textures and a refreshing burst of flavors. As you embark on this culinary journey, you'll explore not just one, but three captivating variations of this delectable salad, each offering a unique twist on the classic. From the vibrant Lemony Lentil and Goat Cheese Salad, bursting with Mediterranean flair, to the Smoked Salmon and Lentil Salad, where delicate fish meets earthy lentils, and the Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Salad, a symphony of roasted vegetables and lentils, this article presents a trio of culinary delights that will elevate your taste buds to new heights.
Let's cook with our recipes!
WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE
Hearty lentils and tangy goat cheese pair perfectly in this healthy side dish.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Salad Recipes
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add lentils, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add shallots, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add carrot, celery, and bell pepper; continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes more. Stir in parsley, vinegar, and remaining tablespoon oil. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Drain lentils, and add to bowl with vegetables. Stir in spinach, and season with salt and black pepper. Crumble goat cheese into bowl, and toss gently to combine.
WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE
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
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
FRENCH LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE
This hearty lentil salad is perfect for a light dinner or a wholesome on-the-go lunch.
Provided by Jennifer Segal
Categories Dinner
Time 45m
Yield 4 as a side dish, 2 as a main course
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 432, Fat 21g, Carbohydrate 40g, Protein 21g, SaturatedFat 6g, Sugar 7g, Fiber 16g, Sodium 675mg, Cholesterol 15mg
WARM BEET AND LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories appetizer
Time 55m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 23
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 AND ROASTED RADISHES
Spicy radishes are mellowed by roasting, and they keep their vibrant color and become juicy bites in this lentil and arugula salad. A shallot vinaigrette further accentuates their flavor and gives an extra boost of deliciousness to the lentils.
Provided by Vallery Lomas
Categories main-dish
Time 1h20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
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.
WARM MUSHROOM, LENTIL & GOAT'S CHEESE SALAD
A superhealthy salad that makes a satisfying autumn lunch
Provided by Mary Cadogan
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a non-stick frying pan, then quickly fry the mushrooms until just starting to soften. Remove from the heat, then stir in the remaining oil with the vinegar and mustard. Stir well until mixed, then add the peppers, onion and lentils and mix well again.
- Arrange the leaves over 4 plates. Spoon the lentil salad over the top, add the goat's cheese and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 220 calories, Fat 14 grams fat, SaturatedFat 4 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 15 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Protein 10 grams protein, Sodium 1.31 milligram of sodium
BAKED LENTILS WITH GOAT CHEESE
The French green Le Puy lentils are smaller and firmer than brown lentils, but have the same type of earthy flavor. They lend themselves to dishes where you want the lentils to stay intact like salads and sides. "Beluga lentils" will also work for this salad.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories weekday, salads and dressings
Time 1h
Yield Serves 4 to 6 as a main dish salad, 8 as a side
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place the lentils in a large saucepan or soup pot with the halved onion, the garlic cloves, and the bay leaf. Add enough water to cover by 1 1/2 inches. Bring to a simmer, add 1 teaspoon salt, cover and simmer 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender all the way through but intact. Set a strainer over a bowl and drain the lentils. Remove the onion halves, bay leaf, and garlic and discard. Return the liquid to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to 1/2 cup.
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Whisk together the vinegar, garlic, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and cooking liquid from the lentils. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss with the lentils. Stir in the parsley (or parsley and chives), place in a baking dish and top with the rounds of goat cheese. Heat through for 15 minutes, until the goat cheese has softened, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 413, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 51 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 23 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 371 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams, TransFat 0 grams
LENTIL, TOMATO AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD
Provided by Marian Burros
Time 30m
Yield 2 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Cook lentils in partially covered pot until they are tender but not mushy, 12 to 15 minutes.
- Slice onion into rings about 1/4-inch thick. Prepare stove-top grill, and grill onion, turning once or twice.
- Wash, trim and cut white part from leek; mince white part.
- Wash, trim and chop fennel bulb.
- Heat olive oil in small nonstick skillet, and saute leek and fennel until fennel softens.
- Wash, trim and slice tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices, and place in bowl with 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, mixing to coat well.
- Mince garlic.
- When lentils are cooked, drain and rinse. Stir in leek, fennel, garlic and remaining balsamic vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
- Slice cheese, and heat at 400 degrees in toaster oven for a couple of minutes, until it begins to bubble.
- Wash, dry and chop basil; stir 2 tablespoons into lentils.
- Arrange lentil mixture on serving platter. Top with tomatoes. Place grilled onions in center, place cheese rounds on top of tomatoes, sprinkle with basil.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 638, UnsaturatedFat 4 grams, Carbohydrate 111 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 21 grams, Protein 34 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 337 milligrams, Sugar 26 grams
Tips:
- For the perfect lentil: Rinse the lentils thoroughly before cooking to remove any impurities. Cook the lentils in a 2:1 ratio of water to lentils, and simmer until tender but still retain their shape.
- Adding flavor: Use a flavorful vegetable broth or water when cooking the lentils. Add a bay leaf, garlic cloves, and a sprig of thyme for extra flavor.
- Maximize the dressing: Whisk together the dressing ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Taste and adjust the seasoning as desired.
- Assembling the salad: In a large bowl, combine the cooked lentils, chopped cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, and parsley. Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss to coat.
- Serving suggestions: Serve the salad immediately or chill it for later. Garnish with crumbled goat cheese and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts or almonds for added texture and flavor.
Conclusion:
This Lemony Lentil and Goat Cheese Salad is a delightful and wholesome dish that showcases the goodness of lentils. It's packed with flavor, textures, and essential nutrients, making it a perfect choice for a healthy and satisfying meal. The combination of lentils, fresh vegetables, tangy dressing, and creamy goat cheese creates a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. Whether served as a main course or a side dish, this salad is sure to impress and nourish. So, gather your ingredients, put on your apron, and embark on a culinary journey that celebrates the goodness of lentils and the beauty of simple yet flavorful cooking.
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