Best 4 Warm Lentil And Cauliflower Salad Recipes

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**Unveil a Culinary Symphony of Warm Lentil and Cauliflower Salad: A Journey of Flavors and Textures**

Embark on a culinary adventure with our warm lentil and cauliflower salad, a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This delightful dish features tender lentils simmered in a flavorful broth, perfectly roasted cauliflower florets, and a medley of fresh herbs. Tossed in a tangy and aromatic dressing, this salad is a delightful harmony of warmth, spice, and freshness. It's not just one recipe, but a collection of variations that cater to diverse dietary preferences. Indulge in the classic vegetarian version or explore the protein-packed goodness of the chicken or shrimp variations. Each recipe offers a unique twist on the original, ensuring there's something for everyone to savor.

Here are our top 4 tried and tested recipes!

ROASTED CAULIFLOWER, PANEER AND LENTIL SALAD



Roasted Cauliflower, Paneer and Lentil Salad image

The Indian cheese paneer doesn't typically show up in salads, but this one from food writer Nik Sharma's cookbook, "Season," involves cutting paneer into cubes and roasting it alongside cauliflower for about 25 minutes (though doing so for longer wouldn't hurt). Paneer maintains its structure in heat, so its skin will come out of the oven charred, its insides still soft. You'll stir the paneer and cauliflower with green and black lentils, cooked and drained, and scallions, resulting in a pleasing jumble of textures. Drizzle it with a cilantro-lime dressing, which gives the salad a tart kick.

Provided by Mayukh Sen

Categories     dinner, for two, lunch, weekday, beans, salads and dressings, vegetables, appetizer, main course, side dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 to 6 servings, as a side

Number Of Ingredients 15

1/2 cup green lentils
1/2 cup black lentils
1 small head cauliflower (about 1 pound)
1 10-ounce block paneer, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 2 cups total)
1 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
4 scallions, green and white parts, thinly sliced
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro leaves
1 Serrano chile, seeded, if desired
Juice of 1 lime, about 1/4 cup
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt

Steps:

  • Heat the oven to 425 degrees. Rinse the lentils in a fine-mesh strainer under cold running water and pick out any stones or imperfect beans. Transfer to a medium saucepan and add enough water to cover by about 1 inch. Bring to a rolling boil over medium-high heat, turn the heat to low and simmer, uncovered, until tender but not mushy, 25 to 60 minutes. The cooking time will vary depending on how old the lentils are, so check them every 5 minutes after the first half hour. When they've reached desired doneness, drain through a fine-mesh strainer and set on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any remaining liquid.
  • While the lentils are cooking, roast the cauliflower and paneer: Cut the cauliflower into bite-size florets and transfer to a roasting or sheet pan. Add the paneer. Season with salt and pepper and drizzle with the olive oil, mixing to coat evenly. Roast, stirring occasionally, until the florets and paneer are crispy on the outside and feel tender when pierced with a skewer or knife, 20 to 25 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, make the dressing: Combine all the ingredients in a blender and pulse at medium-high speed until smooth and paste-like.
  • When the cauliflower and paneer are done, transfer to a large bowl and gently stir in the drained lentils and scallions. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary. Drizzle with 1/2 to 1/3 cup of the dressing, to taste, and serve warm or at room temperature. (Store the leftover salad and dressing in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Shake the dressing before using.)

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 526, UnsaturatedFat 33 grams, Carbohydrate 28 grams, Fat 41 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 509 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams

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.

WARM LENTIL-AND-CAULIFLOWER SALAD



Warm Lentil-and-Cauliflower Salad image

This main-course salad is a perfect plant-based meal for a weeknight dinner. The roasted cauliflower "steaks" are as delicious as they are satisfying, while the warm lentil salad that goes with them is full of flavorful roasted tomatoes, briny capers, and peppery arugula.

Provided by Sarah Carey

Categories     Food & Cooking     Healthy Recipes     Gluten-Free Recipes

Time 50m

Yield Serves 4

Number Of Ingredients 11

3 tomatoes, cored and chopped (3 cups)
2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced (1 tablespoon)
2 tablespoons capers, drained
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
1 small head cauliflower (2 pounds), trimmed and cut through the core into 1-inch planks
1 1/2 cups
2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano, grated (3/4 cup)
1 bunch arugula, trimmed
1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
Chopped toasted almonds, for serving

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 475°F, with a rimmed baking sheet on center rack and another rack in top position. Toss together tomatoes, garlic, capers, and 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Brush cauliflower evenly with 3 tablespoons oil, season, and arrange on sheet. Roast until undersides are golden, 12 to 13 minutes. Flip and push to one side; add tomatoes to other and roast 12 minutes more.
  • Stir lentils into tomatoes. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil; season. Sprinkle everything with cheese. Switch oven to broil, and broil on top rack until cheese has melted, 1 to 2 minutes. Toss arugula with remaining 1 tablespoon oil and vinegar; season. Serve cauliflower and lentils with arugula salad, sprinkled with almonds.

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

Tips:

  • For the best flavor, use fresh, ripe cauliflower and lentils.
  • If you don't have any fresh lemon juice, you can use bottled lemon juice or white wine vinegar.
  • If you want a spicier salad, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes.
  • To make the salad ahead of time, cook the lentils and cauliflower and let them cool completely. Then, store them in separate containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you're ready to serve, combine the lentils, cauliflower, and dressing and enjoy.

Conclusion:

This warm lentil and cauliflower salad is a delicious, healthy, and satisfying meal. It's perfect for a light lunch or dinner, and it's also a great way to use up leftover lentils and cauliflower. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this salad is sure to become a favorite in your kitchen.

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