Lentil And Scallion Salad Recipes

LEMONY LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan of boiling salted water, cook lentils until crisp-tender, about 15 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water to stop further cooking, and drain again.
• Meanwhile, in a medium bowl whisk together lemon zest, lemon juice, oil, mustard, and tarragon. Add drained lentils, bell peppers, and scallions; season well with salt and pepper. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

CUBAN LENTIL SALAD WITH SPICY VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring the water to a boil and add the salt. Add the lentils, reduce the heat to low, and cook covered for 30 minutes. The lentils should be tender but not mushy. Take care not to overcook them or they can fall apart. While the lentils are cooking, in a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium low heat. Add the garlic and cook gently for 5 to 6 minutes, or until softened and just slightly golden. Do not allow to brown. Remove from the heat and add the cumin, coriander, cayenne, and salt. Stir in the vinegar and then transfer the mixture to a large serving bowl. Drain the lentils in a colander, and immediately transfer them to the bowl. Toss together until the lentils are evenly coated with the dressing, then drizzle the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil over the top and toss again just to mix. Cool to room temperature, stir in the scallions and jicama, and serve immediately, or refrigerate for 1 or 2 hours, to allow the flavors to marry. Garnish with sprigs of parsley and lemon wedges.

LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Sort and rinse: 1 cup lentils.
• Cover with water by 3 inches and bring to a boil. Turn down to a simmer and cook until tender all the way through (adding more water if necessary), about 30 minutes. Drain and reserve 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid. Toss the lentils with: 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, Salt, Fresh-ground black pepper.
• Let sit for 5 minutes. Taste and add more salt and vinegar if needed. Add: 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1/4 cup thinly sliced scallions or 3 tablespoons finely diced shallot, 3 tablespoons chopped parsley.
• Stir to combine. If the lentils seem dry and are hard to stir, loosen them with a bit of the reserved cooking liquid.
• Variations
• Add 1/2 cup diced cucumber.
• Dice very fine 1/4 cup each of carrot, celery, and onion. Cook until tender in a couple spoonfuls of olive oil. Cool and stir into the salad in place of the scallions or shallots.
• Garnish with 1/2 cup crumbled goat or feta cheese.
• Toast and crush 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds and add to the salad. Substitute cilantro for the parsley.
• Dice 1/4 cup flavorful sweet peppers, season with salt, and let stand to soften. Stir in with the scallions or shallots.

RED LENTIL SALAD WITH FRESH HERBS

Steps:

• Bring vegetable stock to a boil in a saucepan and add drained lentils. Stir and reduce to a simmer. Simmer uncovered, for 7 to 8 minutes. Lentils will be slightly undercooked. Drain, and allow to cool, about 30 minutes.
• Place cooled lentils in a large mixing bowl and add minced fresh parsley and mint. Add white parts of the green onions, reserving the chopped greens for the garnish. Add tomatoes.
• Combine extra-virgin olive oil and zest and juice of a lemon in a small bowl. Stir to combine, then pour over the salad and toss. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, before serving.
• Before serving, taste and add salt, if desired. Garnish with reserved chopped green tops of green onions.

LENTIL AND SCALLION SALAD

Steps:

• Put the pork up to cook with 4 cups water and simmer for 1½ hours. Remove pork and skim off any fat.
• Rinse the lentils and drain, then add them to the broth the pork was cooked in. Cook the lentils for about 25 minutes, or until just tender, then drain them and leave them to cool.
• Slice the white section of the scallions very thin and add them to the lentils.
• When cold, sprinkle in the dressing made by shaking the oil, vinegar, and seasonings in a screw-topped jar until well mixed. Gently stir the dressing through and leave the lentil salad to marinate for a few hours before serving.