About
Lentils are a secret weapon in the battle for your ideal body shape; low fat, high in protein, filling, and perfect for blending with other flavors. Healthy Lentil Salad makes the most of the tender legumes by mixing them with bright garden vegetables, sharp feta cheese, and a simple yet tasty honey-mustard dressing in a salad like no other. If you're aiming to eat a little more nutritious as of late, don't despair! Healthy Lentil Salad will give you the full-bodied flavor you crave without any guilt!
Ingredients
- For the lentils:
- 1 cup dry green or brown lentils, picked over and rinsed
- 4 cups hot water
- salt, to taste
- For the dressing:
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- salt, to taste
- For the salad:
- 1 large red bell pepper
- 1 1/2 cups English cucumber, diced
- 1/3 cup red onion, chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
- 4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
Directions
Step 1 -In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, add the lentils, the hot water, and the salt and bring the mixture to a boil.
Step 2 -Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 15-20 minutes.
Step 3 -In a colander, drain the lentils and rinse them under cold water until the cooking process has stopped, about 20 seconds.
Step 4 -Drain the lentils well.
Step 5 -Let the lentils rest until cooled, about 15 minutes.
Step 6 -In a small bowl, add the olive oil, the lemon juice, the honey, the Dijon mustard, the garlic, and the salt and whisk to combine.
Step 7 -Roast the red bell pepper by placing it over the flame of a gas stove with metal tongs until well-charred on all sides. Alternatively, roast the pepper under the broiler on a baking sheet, making sure to turn it so it is charred on all sides.
Step 8 -Let the roasted red pepper rest on a cutting board until cool enough to handle.
Step 9 -Deseed and chop the red pepper.
Step 10 -In a large bowl, add the lentils, the roasted bell peppers, the cucumbers, the red onions, the parsley, the cilantro, the feta, and the dressing and gently toss to combine.
Step 11 -Serve.
