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Mediterranean Lentil Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 57 reviews

A refreshing and nutritious Mediterranean lentil salad featuring tender brown lentils, fresh vegetables, tangy balsamic dressing, and crumbled feta cheese. Perfect as a light meal or side dish, packed with flavor and wholesome ingredients.

Ingredients

Scale

Lentils & Stock

  • 210 g Brown lentils (1 Cup/250 ml)
  • 500 ml Water (2 cups)
  • 1 Bouillon stock cube (chicken or vegetable)

Vegetables

  • 1 Red bell pepper
  • 2 Tomatoes
  • 1 Cucumber
  • 1 Red onion (small)
  • 4 tbsp Parsley (chopped)

Dressing

  • 2 tbsp Olive oil (extra virgin)
  • 4 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
  • 1 tsp Honey
  • Salt and pepper (to taste)

Cheese

  • 70 g Feta cheese (2.5 oz)

Instructions

  1. Rinse lentils: Rinse the brown lentils thoroughly in a fine mesh sieve to remove any small debris or stones, selecting them carefully before cooking.
  2. Cook lentils: In a medium saucepan, add the rinsed lentils, 2 cups of water, and the bouillon stock cube. Bring the mixture to a boil.
  3. Simmer lentils: Once boiling, reduce the heat and let the lentils simmer uncovered until tender but still firm, approximately 16 to 20 minutes.
  4. Prepare vegetables: While the lentils cook, dice the red bell pepper, tomatoes, and peeled, seed-removed cucumber. Finely chop the red onion and parsley.
  5. Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
  6. Drain and cool lentils: Drain the cooked lentils and allow them to cool for 5 to 10 minutes at room temperature.
  7. Combine salad ingredients: In a large bowl, mix the cooled lentils, diced vegetables, and chopped parsley. Crumble the feta cheese over the top.
  8. Add dressing: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture.
  9. Toss and serve: Gently toss all ingredients to evenly distribute the dressing and serve either at room temperature or chilled.

Notes

  • Make sure to rinse lentils thoroughly to avoid any grit in the salad.
  • The salad is best served fresh but can be chilled for a few hours for enhanced flavor.
  • Use either chicken or vegetable bouillon for a vegetarian version.
  • Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper to your taste.
  • For a vegan option, omit feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based alternative.

Keywords: Mediterranean lentil salad, healthy salad, vegetarian salad, lentil recipe, fresh vegetable salad, feta cheese salad

Find it online: https://tastygenius.com/mediterranean-lentil-salad-recipe/