Cabbage Lentil Salad Recipes

CABBAGE LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the lentils in water. Their texture should be soft but not mushy. Drain and chill at least one hour.
• While the lentils are cooking, combine the vinaigrette ingredients.
• Shred the cabbage with a knife. It's OK to use the green outer leaves, but avoid the tough stems.
• Slice the carrot into longish, very thin, strips. Use the carrot peeler if you don't have the patience for the knife work, but try not to bail completely and use the grater.
• Cut the pepper into small strips or diamonds.
• The vegetables can be combined and refrigerated, covered, ahead of time, or tossed at the table. Add the lentils last, and dress each serving (to avoid a soggy puddle at the bottom of the bowl).
• Of course, all the ingredients are to taste. Feel free to use your favorite vinaigrette, or to use yellow, red and green peppers, or to add purple cabbge. Fresh herbs are great, but remove the woody stems, and chop the leaves finely.

CURRIED LENTIL CABBAGE SALAD

Steps:

• Mix cabbage, lentils, onion, and peppers in a serving bowl.
• Blend garlic, lemon juice, curry, olive oil, and salt for dressing.
• Stir the dressing in with the chopped vegetables.

LENTIL, CABBAGE AND BACON SALAD

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a colander and rinse them under cold water, removing and discarding any damaged specimens or foreign material. Place the lentils in a pot with 2 1/2 cups of lukewarm water. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat, cover and boil very gently until tender, about 20 minutes for domestic lentils or 35 to 40 minutes for imported lentils.
• Meanwhile, place the bacon pieces in a skillet and cover them with lukewarm water, separating the pieces. Bring to a boil over high heat and immediately drain in a colander. Rinse under cool water and return the bacon to the skillet. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the bacon is brown and has rendered its fat. Add the onions and croutons to the bacon and saute for 5 minutes longer, stirring occasionally, until the croutons are brown on all sides.
• Place the dressing ingredients in a salad bowl and add the cabbage. Toss to mix. Drain any remaining liquid from the lentils and add them, while still hot, to the cabbage. Mix well.
• When ready to serve, add the croutons and bacon to the salad bowl, toss well and serve immediately.

STEWED LENTILS WITH CABBAGE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a 3-quart saucepan or casserole over medium heat. Add the chopped half of the onion and cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add 2 of the garlic cloves and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the lentils, water, chile, and bay leaf, and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat, cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes. Add 1 teaspoon salt and the potatoes and continue to simmer gently for 30 minutes, until the lentils and potatoes are tender. Add more salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
• While the lentils are simmering, cook the cabbage with the remaining onion and garlic in a wide lidded skillet. Heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and add the sliced onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt and the garlic and stir together until the garlic is fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the cabbage and turn the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring, until the cabbage begins to wilt. Add 1/4 cup water, turn the heat down to medium, cover and simmer 10 minutes, or until the cabbage is tender and sweet, stirring from time to time. Add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
• Spread the cabbage over the bottom of the pan in an even layer. Top with the lentils and potatoes. Sprinkle on the parsley, and serve in wide soup bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan if desired.