3.8.10 Warm Lentil Salad
I have been on quite a lentil kick this past month. From big bowls of lentil soup, to Palak Daal, I just can’t get enough. However, the warmer temps this weekend were pulling me in two directions. On one hand I wanted to dance in the snowless streets, feeling the sun on my skin. But on the other, I was quite content being cozy in my sweatshirt when the cold breeze pierced my unprotected ears. What I needed was a compromise. Something light and summery, but hearty and warm at the same time. Enter lentils.
Regardless of the fact that this salad has all my favorite ingredients, it soothed more than just my appetite. It was nourishing, but still kept me light on my feet. Which is essential when you are planning to dance in the streets.
Warm Lentil Salad
serves 4
salad
1 1/2 c yellow lentils, rinsed
3 c water
2 t fresh thyme leaves, plus more for garnish
1-2 t salt
8 large lettuce leaves
1/2 c chopped walnuts, toasted
2 T minced red onion
1/2 c crumbled goat cheese
dressing
2 T minced sun dried tomatoes
6 T olive oil
3 T red wine vinegar
2 t Dijon mustard
2 t honey
1 t salt
In a large saucepan, add lentils, water and thyme leaves. Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce heat to low. Simmer 20-25 minutes, until lentils are just tender. Remove from heat, and gently stir in salt, to taste.
Divide lettuce leaves among four plates. Top with lentils, walnuts, red onion and goat cheese. In a small bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients. Drizzle on salad, to taste. Garnish with additional thyme leaves. Serve immediately.
Reader Comments (26)
Great idea. I actually never thought of adding lentils to a salad. I've only tried them in soup. Thanks for the inspiration!
It's the perfect time of year for this! I have to tell you: I'm 3 for 3 on recipes I've tried here on your site, and this salad will be #4. I'm just learning good cooking; thanks for your recipes that help along the way.
Glad to hear you guys are thawing! I love any kind of lentil in any way. Sun-dried tomatoes in the dressing? Holy cow, that sounds amazing!
yeesssss love lentils and salad as well. This sounds so great!
I have about a gallon of lentils in the pantry and Im always in need of new recipes. Thanks Erin!
I have three kinds of lentils in my pantry -- but none are yellow! Think green would work?
I'm relatively new to the blog world and I must say that your blog inspires me so much!
I grew up in a vegetarian household so I'm used to really good veggie food. But it's so rare to find other people who truly know how to cook vegetarian properly.... your incredible recipes put my hippie parents to shame!
Sounds like you had a really nice weekend! Oh this salad looks really yummie! sun dried tomatoes is one of my favorite...this would be really nice to make! Thanks so much for sharing and have a lovely week! Love to you!
I love lentils too! They are so incredibly versatile as you've just shown.
I'm making this for dinner tonight - can't wait to try it!
Hi Allison, You could use any lentils you like here. Just watch the cooking times- some cook quicker than others. You want them just tender, not mushy.
I love warm salads, especially those including goat cheese + lentils. Mmmm!
This looks and sounds like something I would love to eat after a long work day. All the ingredients are frequently used in our kitchen, lentils not enough though. Love the dressing and oh, the goat cheese! A chef once said to me that he tastes all dishes he is valuating first without additional goat cheese since it makes everything delicious, and that he could eat rusted nails with goat cheese on them. So true! :) Goat cheese does work with a lot of dishes, and with this one especially, I'm sure. This recipe sounds so fresh and satisfying!
Another lentil lover there! :o) I like your idea of using these warm in a salad...this a really beautiful salad, Erin! You can almost feel the goodness for the body just looking at the photos...LOL! Scrumptious... Happy Day :o)
This salad looks INCREDIBLE.... Seriously, that top photograph is amazing. And its light enough for the lovely spring weather we're having here too :)
Lentils and goat cheese. I like hat idea very much. :)
This looks so yummy -lots of my favorites all in one dish! I will be making this one. Thanks Erin!
This sounds amazing and so flavourful! I love nuts and cheese in salad.
I love cooking with lentils but have never tried it in a salad! this one looks great!
a perfect salad, i'd say! though i could eat lentils everyday for the rest of my life. love them!
So yummy. I love the combinations of flavors and textures. Can't wait to have it another time!
Love lentils because it's such a wonderful substitute for meat. Having it in salad is interesting!
Finally made this after dreaming about it for weeks. Didn't have sun dried tomatoes, but it still tastes great. Thinking of putting it all in a whole grain wrap tomorrow:) Thanks for the inspiration!
Lentil salad is my kind of comfort food.
i am obsessed with this salad. i could eat it every day. i leave out the goat cheese and it's still awesome. i caramelize the diced red onions and then throw in the crushed walnuts to toast them in the pan with the onions. yummy.
I made this with almonds (b/c I had no walnuts) and it was delish. We also ate it with a bed of greens. The flavours were fantastic!