Simple Lentil Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Wash lentils.
• Add water to cover lentils, boil for 2 minutes.
• Add whole onion (studded with cloves), salt, and bay leaf.
• Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour.
• Bring to boil and cover.
• Simmer gently (to prevent breaking) for about 15 minutes (until tender, do not overcook).
• Drain, remove bay leaf and onion, then cool.
• Add scallions and parsley.
• Whisk olive oil and lemon juice to make an emulsion.
• Pour over lentil mixture and toss.
• Chill and serve.

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 1 quart of water to a boil. Season water and stir in lentils. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook lentils for 20-30 minutes or until just tender. The lentils should not be mushy. Drain off any remaining liquid.
• Begin chopping the garlic clove and sprinkle with some salt. Using the flat side of the knife mash the garlic into a paste. In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and garlic paste. Whisk the olive oil into the lemon juice in a thin stream. Stir in the parsley, tomatoes, green pepper and basil. Gently mix in the drained lentils and toss to coat. Season to taste with salt and pepper

Steps:

• Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, salt, pepper, parsley and thyme together in a large mixing bowl. Add the warm lentils and bacon and stir to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature.;
• Pick over the lentils, rinse and drain. Place the lentils along with the onion, garlic, bay leaf, salt and pork into a large 6-quart saucepan and cover with water by 2 to 3 inches. Place over high heat and bring just to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the lentils are tender, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Drain any remaining liquid and discard the onion, garlic, bay leaf and salt pork. Stir in black pepper and taste for salt. Serve immediately.
• Note from Alton: Those of you who watched this program on the 17th or 18th will want to disregard one particular suggestion I made regarding lentils: don't feed the left over onions to your dog. It turns out onions are not good for dogs in any shape or form. I'm grateful to the fans who emailed me after the airing for setting me straight on this nutritional peculiarity. As for my own dog's ability to digest onions, well...she's more hog than dog I guess.
• Cook smart,
• Alton

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, cover lentils with water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, partially covered, until lentils are tender but still holding their shape, 20 to 25 minutes. Drain well.
• Meanwhile, place eggs in a small saucepan; cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil; remove from heat and cover. Let stand 12 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water. Peel eggs; chop roughly.
• In a large bowl, whisk together vinegar and oil. Add lentils, cucumber, parsley, and onion; season with salt and pepper. Toss well to coat with dressing. Let cool to room temperature, or serve chilled, topped with chopped eggs.

Steps:

• In a saucepan combine lentils, carrots, onion, garlic, bay leaf, and thyme. Add enough water to cover by 1 inch. Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes or until lentils are tender but not mushy.
• Drain lentils and vegetables and remove bay leaf. Add olive oil, lemon juice, celery, parsley, salt and pepper. Toss to mix and serve at room temperature.

Steps:

• Boil the lentils following pack instructions, drain, rinse well, then drain thoroughly.
• Meanwhile, mix the citrus juices, vinegar and a pinch of salt in a salad bowl, then toss in the onion rings - after a few mins they will soften and turn pink. Whisk together the oil, cumin, garlic and chutney, then toss into the onions with the cooled lentils, coriander, tomatoes, spinach and plenty of seasoning.

Steps:

• Rinse lentils well, drain. Place in a pot and cover with a 3-4 inches of water, bring to a boil, reduce to simmer. Check lentils for doneness after 10 minutes, but they should take about 15 minutes in total. You will know they are cooked if they still retain a slight tooth - al dente! (Overcooking the lentils is the death of this dish) Drain & rinse the lentils under cold water and set aside.
• In a small bowl, make the dressing by whisking together the olive, vinegar, maple syrup, mustard and all the spices (salt through cinnamon).
• In a large serving bowl, gently combine the lentils and dressing. Add the onions, cranberries and capers and stir to combine well. If using other add-ins such as herbs, greens, or cheese, wait to add until just before serving. Otherwise, this salad can hang out in the fridge for as long as a couple days!