Marinated Lentil Salad With Creamy Goat Cheese And Ripe Tomatoes Recipes

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.

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the cumin seeds, garlic, and ginger and cook for about 2 minutes, stirring constantly.
• Stir in the lentils and vegetable stock. Let cook, covered (but with venting for the steam), for 20 minutes on medium-high heat.
• After 20 minutes, remove from heat and stir in the mint and cilantro.
• In a frying pan (or skillet), heat the other tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat, add the onions, and cook for about 10 minutes or until softly translucent and browned.
• Toss the spinach in the hazelnut oil in a bowl, then divide between 4 serving plates.
• Mash the goat (or feta) cheese with the yogurt in a small bowl and season to taste with pepper.
• Divide the lentils between the serving plates and top with the onions and cheese mixture. Garnish with lemon quarters and serve with toasted rye bread, pitas, or melba toast.

Steps:

• Combine lentils and 2 tsp. salt in a large saucepan and pour in cold water to cover by at least 1". Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently until lentils are tender but still have some bite (like al dente pasta), about 20 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
• Meanwhile, whisk oil, vinegar, honey, paprika, and remaining 1 tsp. salt in a small bowl or measuring glass.
• Pour vinaigrette over hot lentils and toss to coat. Let sit at least 10 minutes before serving to give lentils time to absorb flavors from vinaigrette.
• Do ahead: Lentils can be prepared 5 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.

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.