Name: Lentil Salad
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 as a side dish, 2 as a main course
Cuisine: French
Ingredients: 1 cup French green lentils (or common brown or green lentils); 3 cups chicken broth; 1 bay leaf; 1 large carrot, finely diced; 2 ribs celery, finely diced; 1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried); 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley; 1 garlic clove, minced; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1 teaspoon honey; ½ teaspoon salt; ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper; 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon; ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, best quality such as Lucini or Colavita; 3 ounces goat cheese

Lentil Salad

This hearty lentil salad, loaded with veggies and vibrant flavors, is perfect for a light dinner or a wholesome, packable lunch.

Servings: 4 as a side dish, 2 as a main course

Prep Time: 20 Minutes

Cook Time: 15 Minutes

Total Time: 45 Minutes, plus 10 minutes to chill

Ingredients

1 cup French green lentils (or common brown or green lentils)
3 cups chicken broth
1 bay leaf
1 large carrot, finely diced
2 ribs celery, finely diced
1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh thyme (or ½ teaspoon dried)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
½ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice, from one lemon
¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil, best quality such as Lucini or Colavita
3 ounces goat cheese

Instructions

Before cooking the lentils, make sure you rinse them well and pick over them to remove any small rocks or debris. Combine the lentils, chicken broth, and bay leaf in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, 25 to 30 minutes for French green lentils or 20 to 25 minutes for common brown or green lentils. Remove the bay leaf, strain, and let cool.
In a large bowl, combine the carrot, celery, thyme, parsley, garlic, mustard, honey, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and olive oil. Add the 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.

Nutrition Information

Per serving (4 servings)
Calories: 432
Fat: 21g
Saturated fat: 6g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Sugar: 7g
Fiber: 16g
Protein: 21g
Sodium: 675mg
Cholesterol: 15mg

Gluten-Free Adaptable Note

To the best of my knowledge, all of the ingredients used in this recipe are gluten-free or widely available in gluten-free versions. There is hidden gluten in many foods; if you're following a gluten-free diet or cooking for someone with gluten allergies, always read the labels of your ingredients to verify that they are gluten-free.