12.28.2009

Warm lentil salad with lemon dijon vinaigrette

I don't know about you, but after all of the Christmas goodies I'm about ready for a nice salad.

I've been wanting to try French lentils in a recipe for some time now. They are so beautiful. As I did some hopping around on the computer for fun recipe ideas, I found that there are true French lentils and then there are impostor French lentils. I'm probably the last one to know this fact. Oh well, whatcha gonna do?!

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Anyway, the real French lentils are called lentilles du Puy and are grown in volcanic soil in France. Hop over here for some great info on the different types of lentils.

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I found a lot of variations of this salad and in the end did a bit of mixing and matching to come up with what I feel is a pretty darn tasty salad.

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Warm Lentil Salad with Lemon Dijon Vinaigrette
by theUngourmet

approximately four servings

1/2 cup French lentils
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 clove chopped garlic
1/3 cup chopped red bell peppers
2 sprigs fresh thyme
cracked pepper
1/2 cup dry Marsala wine
1 cup vegetable broth

1 package of Mache or baby salad greens

Vinaigrette

juice from 1 lemon
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/4 tsp Dijon mustard

Garnish

cooked crumbled bacon
feta cheese

Sort and rinse lentils. In a 4 qt saucepan saute garlic in olive oil. Add the lentils, red peppers, thyme sprigs, pepper, Marsala, and veggie broth. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer until just tender (not mushy), about 40 minutes or so.

Drain and allow to cool a bit. Remove thyme sprigs. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and Dijon. Toss with lentils.

Place a good sized handful of Mache on a plate, add about a 1/2 cup of lentils over greens. Top with crumbled bacon and feta.

Print recipe

This is so delightful! Not too heavy! It could be used as a side dish or light main dish with some crusty bread.

Give this a try, I know you'll love it!

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47 comments:

Unknown said...

Just perfect for a winter day I love lentils

chow and chatter said...

oh great salad and new lentils to me cool color, Happy New Year Kim

debra@dustjacket said...

Oh yeah, I'm with you on the salad thing...and this one looks perfect. No I didn't know that either!
xxx DJ

Jenn said...

Now this is a salad I could have right now. Yummy!!

Angie's Recipes said...

What a spectacular lentil salad!

Anonymous said...

All three shots are awesome. I like lentils more and more each day. Thanks for the great recipe to help me out!

My best, Lynn
*swing on by, I'm hosting a mega giveaway of all natural products.

KennyT said...

I want this healthy and yummy salad!

scrappysue said...

my vegetarian daughter loves lentils! might have to try this one!

Katy ~ said...

LOL, I didn't know that about lentils, but I don't think I have ever eaten lentils, French or otherwise! I have a couple of bags I bought, still in my pantry, trying to figure out what to do with them, grins.

This salad looks so doggone good and much appreciated after the glut of the past two holidays. We are definitely looking for lighter, healthier choices. This is just perfect!

love lives in the kitchen said...

lentils, lentils! whats better than lentils?? i love your recipe! we have lentils for the new year's eve (as a good wish for a wealthy new year) i guess i'm gonna use your recipe this time!
have a very sweet day!
justyna

Shelby said...

I love lentils! Growing up with a vegetarian mom we had them often. This salad looks yummy!

Ginger said...

Hi Kim,

I need a salad right about now. I went to a fudge tasting party yesterday! There were some exotic fudges BUT I am still trying to recover. This looks delicious and I love lentils. Have a wonderful 2010.

PS Your photos are stunning. I think that you have a second calling.

Gin

Cathy said...

Hi Kim -
What a tasty salad recipe! I love lentils and usually make soup with them. Can't wait to try this.

Happy New Year!

Michelle said...

I know exactly how you feel and we're having a big salad tonight! And one with lots of garlic...lots and lots of garlic!

Never had a lentil salad althought they always look so good to me!

Have a great New Year!

Jeannie said...

very tasty looking salad! and your profile picture looks great too!
HappY New Year!

Ashley @ The Happy Little Home said...

This looks so great! Where are you able to buy the "French" lentils?

Joanne said...

Yes light food is a month at this point in time. I love lentils but don't eat them enough. The salad looks fantastic! Love the bacon and the feta.

Allyson said...

First of all, you are NOT the last person to know that there is a difference in lentils...I'm pretty sure that's me. And secondly, I not only need but actually want some fiber in my life right now. Too. Much. Sugar. So thanks for that. And speaking of which, we made your eggnog cookies for the family Christmas. YUM-O! I wish I had taken pics of hubs making the batter but I forgot. I'm sure we'll make them again, though.

TKW said...

This looks awesome! However, the thing I'm really coveting is that bowl! It's beautiful!

motherrimmy said...

After all the heavy holiday food, your salad looks refreshing. The information about lentils is very interesting!

Chef E said...

Darn girl, that salad is a show stopper. I have not had the french lentils in my house in a while, so I am shopping today...

I envision flashing paparazzi lights popping off over this beauty!

Claudia said...

That's gorgeous - I adore lentils and so - I am making this! Now! Won't my family be surprised when they wake uyp and see what's cooking!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

I am ready to give up sweets altogether..at least until the next time:D We need more delicious salads like this one.

Inspired by eRecipeCards said...

It is almost time to step back a bit and lighten ip on the food end... great start

Randi Troxell said...

this sounds wonderful.. and after all that carb loaded holiday food.. sounds like an excellent choice!

Faith said...

You're right Kim, French lentils are just gorgeous! I love the flavor of lemon with lentils. This salad looks healthy, flavorful, and delicious!

Julie said...

Beautiful..I'll have to see if I can find these lentils in my area.

Catherine said...

Kim, you had me at lentil! I love lentils and this recipe it right up my alley!

Donna-FFW said...

Oh this sounds like just what I am needing right now.. so very tasty and healthy to boot!!

NKP said...

Lovely! A great salad and so good for you!

The imPerfect Housewife said...

What!? You didn't know the difference in the kinds of lentils?? Are you from Mars? What's a lentil? ha ha You're too funny - and yes, even you can take a lentil and turn it into magic! I think you probably know more about green beans than I do!! Have a great day and yes, I can go for a good salad - I never thought I'd get tired of sweets, but it's true. ♥

Reeni said...

What a fantastic salad! I like that you added lots of flavor - lentils always seem so bland to me. I had no idea about the lava or the imposters!

Delicious Dishings said...

Ooh this salad looks incredible! And I have real French lentils in my pantry... thanks for the explanation. I didn't know that either!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Mmmmmmm, that does sound divine!

Tara said...

Kim


Wow, I have neevr seen lentils like this! After all the baked goods I feel like you--get back to things form nature that crunch!

Jill @ Jillicious Discoveries said...

I did not know about the different French lentils--very interesting!

I have a little something for you over at my blog: http://jilliciousdiscoveries.blogspot.com/2009/12/passing-along-two-blog-awards.html

Happy New Year!

Fresh Local and Best said...

This looks like a very healthy and delicious salad to throw together. It's actually my New Year's resolution to incorporate more grains and beans into our meals. This recipe looks great!

Krista said...

I realized that as I was reading this post and taking in the pictures, that I sounded as if I was watching a fireworks display. "Oooh." "Ahhhh!" lol. This salad really does look and sound amazing. I'm going to have to find some lentils. : )

Anonymous said...

add me to the "didn't know about french lentils" list!

this looks delicious though! i'm definitely going to try this. i can taste it already. mmm....

happy new year!

Gabrielle said...

Beautiful!

Ju (The Little Teochew) said...

Warm salad is what I would love right now! It looks perfect. Happy New Year to you and your family!

Anonymous said...

Wow. This is very inspiring and just in time for a change.

zurin said...

What beautiful lentils! the colour is amazing....I learnt somthing new today. Thanks :) n the salad looks absolutely scrumptious too :))

happy new year!

debra@dustjacket said...

Happy New Year, wishing you SO much happiness in 2010.
xxx

petite nyonya said...

Happy New year and best wishes to you! Keep cooking & baking! :)

Debbie said...

Delish! This does sound like a great antidote to all the junk I've been eating.

s said...

Now THIS i just have to try...what a super blog!!!

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