Lentil Tomato And Goat Cheese Salad Recipes

FRENCH LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

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.

LENTIL, TOMATO AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

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.

MARINATED LENTIL SALAD WITH CREAMY GOAT CHEESE AND RIPE TOMATOES

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a 2-quart saucepan with the yellow onion and bay leaf and cover with about 4 cups of cold water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until lentils are tender but not mushy, 15-20 minutes.
• Remove the lentils from the heat and pour into a colander. Run warm water over them to rinse off the sludge. Shake off any excess water, then turn the lentils into a bowl, and immediately add the red onion, vinegar, olive oil, and some salt. Stir gently with a spatula, then add the garlic, cumin, and mint. Season with salt and pepper. Marinate for 10 minutes, then taste again and adjust the acidity (adding more oil or vinegar as desired) and salt and pepper.
• Place about 1/2 cup dressed lentils on each plate, then add a spoonful or two of goat cheese and some sliced tomatoes. Drizzle the tomatoes with olive oil, and season with salt and a grind of black pepper. A mint or basil sprig in the center makes a pretty garnish.

LENTIL, TOMATO, AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Cook lentils in medium pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 25 minutes, and drain well.
• Whisk together in a large bowl vinegar, green onions and mustard in large bowl.
• Gradually whisk in oil.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add lentils and let stand until cool.
• When cool, add cucumber, tomatoes, onion, dill, parsley and garlic to lentil mix.
• Season again with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and chill about 1 hour.
• Just before serving, crumble goat cheese over salad and mix gently to combine.
• If using lightly-toasted nuts, sprinkle over salad and gently mix in, reserving 2 T to garnish on the top.