Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Mediterranean with our tantalizing lentil salad, a symphony of flavors and textures that will transport your taste buds to sun-kissed shores. This delightful dish is a harmonious blend of earthy lentils, crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a tangy lemon-thyme vinaigrette, creating a symphony of flavors that dances on the palate. Discover the art of creating this vibrant salad with our step-by-step guide, which includes variations and additional recipes to tantalize your taste buds. From a refreshing cucumber and tomato salad to a zesty lemon-herb dressing, each recipe is a testament to the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean. So, gather your ingredients, prepare your senses, and let's embark on a culinary adventure that will leave you craving for more.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
MEDITERRANEAN POWER LENTIL SALAD
This healthy, satisfying Mediterranean lentil salad recipe with spinach, crunchy veggies, and a zippy lime dressing, is the ultimate power bowl! It's easy to make and even better the next day. Add pomegranate seeds (arils) when in season, or leave them out. Keep it vegan or add a sprinkle of creamy feta.
Provided by Suzy Karadsheh
Categories Salad
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 127.6 kcal, Sodium 15.3 mg, SaturatedFat 1.7 g, Carbohydrate 5 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 0.9 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MEDITERRANEAN LENTIL SALAD
Here's a summery lentil salad topped with tomatoes, roasted peppers and feta, garnished with hard-cooked eggs, anchovy fillets and good canned tuna. Studded with olives and sprinkled with oregano, it's a sort-of niçoise salad by way of Greece, an easy main course suitable for a picnic or a no-fuss make-ahead supper.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, weekday, salads and dressings, vegetables, main course
Time 1h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 21
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.
MEDITERRANEAN LENTIL SALAD
This is a delicious lentil salad, that keeps very well in the refrigerator.
Provided by Candice
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes
Time 30m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a saucepan combine lentils, carrots, onion, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme. Add enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes or until lentils are tender but not mushy.
- Drain lentils and vegetables and remove bay leaf. Add olive oil, lemon juice, celery, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss to mix and serve at room temperature.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 147.4 calories, Carbohydrate 16.2 g, Fat 7.1 g, Fiber 5.8 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 1 g, Sodium 452.8 mg, Sugar 3 g
MEDITERRANEAN LENTIL SALAD
Steps:
- Combine the lentils, garlic, oregano, bay leaf, and cinnamon stick in a saucepan and cover with water or broth by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, then cover, lower the heat, and simmer until the lentils are tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain the lentils thoroughly and discard the whole spices.
- In a separate bowl, whisk the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice, lemon zest, cumin, and salt together. Toss the lentils with the vinaigrette, then refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Stir in the bell pepper, cucumber, olives, mint, and parsley and combine, then do a FASS check-and season as needed with another pinch of salt, a few grinds of pepper, or lemon juice. Serve with the feta cheese sprinkled over the top.
- storage
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days.
- nutrition information
- (per serving)
- Calories: 210
- Total Fat: 11.6g (1.5g saturated, 7.8g monounsaturated)
- Carbohydrates: 21g
- Protein: 7g
- Fiber: 5g
- Sodium: 195mg
- WHO KNEW? Carpe Diem!
- For most people going through cancer-even those having a really rough time-there's generally a point between treatment sessions when you'll find yourself feeling a little more energetic and a little less blah. Michael Broffman, an acupuncturist who also utilizes herbs and foods to help numerous cancer patients at his Pine Street Clinic in Marin County, says these good days are a great opportunity for a culinary workout: "We encourage our patients to use those days to take the time to assess their cooking skills, cook something, get a recipe out of a book, start to play with it, go to cooking classes, and deepen their skill sets. That way, once treatment is over, they're well on their way to organizing this on a regular basis."
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe vegetables. If you can, buy them from a farmer's market or local grocery store.
- If you don't have time to cook the lentils, you can use canned lentils. Just be sure to rinse them well before using.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of lemon juice and thyme in the vinaigrette to suit your taste.
- This salad is great for meal prep. It will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Conclusion:
This Mediterranean lentil salad with lemon thyme vinaigrette is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It is packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins, and the bright and tangy dressing adds a refreshing touch. Whether you are a vegetarian or just looking for a healthier option, this salad is sure to please. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy meal, give this recipe a try!
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