Lentil Salad With Goat Cheese And Pine Nuts Recipes

WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• In a medium pot, combine lentils, onion, two of the garlic cloves and the bay leaf with 6 cups water. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Add salt to taste, cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 25 minutes, until lentils are cooked through but still have some texture (they should not be mushy). Taste and adjust salt. Using tongs, remove onion and bay leaf. (You may cook lentils up to four days ahead and store in the refrigerator. Bring back to a simmer and proceed with recipe.)
• In a small bowl or measuring cup, mix together vinegar, remaining garlic, salt to taste and olive oil. Set aside.
• Place a strainer over a bowl and carefully drain lentils, reserving 1/4 cup of the broth. Return lentils to the pot. Whisk reserved broth into the dressing, then stir dressing into lentils. Add goat cheese and stir until it has melted into the lentils. Season to taste with pepper. Stir in herbs.
• Line a platter, salad plates or wide bowls with arugula. Top arugula with the lentils. Serve warm.

ARUGULA SALAD WITH PEACHES, GOAT CHEESE AND BASIL

Steps:

• In a small sauté pan, toast the pine nuts over medium heat, tossing often, until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• In a small liquid measuring cup or bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.
• Place the arugula in a large salad bowl. Pour just enough dressing over the greens to moisten, and toss to coat. Add the peaches, basil, goat cheese and toasted pine nuts and toss to coat. Add more goat cheese and dressing if desired. Toss gently and serve immediately.

FENNEL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Whisk together the oil, vinegar and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Combine the arugula and sliced fennel in a medium salad bowl. Pour the vinaigrette over and toss to thoroughly coat. Season with salt and pepper. Scatter the fennel fronds, cheese and pine nuts on top and serve.

LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Place lentils and bay leaves in a large saucepan.
• Cover with water by 2 inches.
• Bring to a boil.
• Cover and reduce to a simmer.
• Cook for about 20 minutes until lentils are tender, but not falling apart.
• Drain in a colander and remove bay leaves.
• In a large non stick skillet over medium heat add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.
• Add shallots and 1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt.
• Reduce the heat to low and cook until shallots are medium brown in color.
• Stir frequently so they do not burn.
• Stir in 1/4 cup red wine vinegar.
• Cook for 3 minutes until vinegar is absorbed.
• Remove from heat.
• In a small bowl whisk together the remaining 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 2 tablespoons Kosher salt, mustard and pepper.
• Slowly whisk in 1/4 cup olive oil to emuslsify, add garlic and set aside.
• Remove garlic from vinaigrette before serving.
• Heat a small skillet over medium-low heat, add the pine nuts and gently toss until evenly golden brown.
• Cool on a plate.
• Spoon lentils into a large serving bowl.
• Stir in shallots and vingaigrette.
• Top with crumbled goat cheese and pine nuts.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

FRENCH LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Before cooking the lentils, make sure you rinse them well and pick over them to remove any small rocks or debris. Combine lentils, chicken broth and bay leaf in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then turn heat down and simmer until lentils are tender, 25-30 minutes for French green lentils or 20-25 minutes for common brown or green lentils. Remove bay leaf, strain and let cool.
• In a large bowl, combine all remaining ingredients except goat cheese. Add cooled lentils and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Transfer salad to serving dish, crumble goat cheese over top and serve.
• Note: When preparing this recipe, be sure to build in at least 10 minutes to cool the lentils after they have cooked.

SPICED PUMPKIN, LENTIL, AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Place lentils in small bowl. Cover with cold water and soak 10 minutes; drain.
• Cook lentils in boiling salted water until tender but firm, about 30 minutes. Drain lentils. Rinse under cold water, then drain.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Place pumpkin in large bowl; toss with 2 tablespoons oil, cumin, paprika, and sea salt. Arrange pumpkin in single layer on baking sheet; roast 20 minutes. Turn pumpkin over. Roast until tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool.
• Combine lentils, pumpkin, and oil from baking sheet with arugula, half of goat cheese, mint, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper. Divide among plates; sprinkle remaining goat cheese over.
• Available at some supermarkets and at specialty foods stores.
• ** Sometimes labeled Pimentón Picante or Pimentó de La Vera Picante; available at specialty foods stores and from tienda.com.

WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring a medium saucepan of water to a boil. Add lentils, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add shallots, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add carrot, celery, and bell pepper; continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 5 minutes more. Stir in parsley, vinegar, and remaining tablespoon oil. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Drain lentils, and add to bowl with vegetables. Stir in spinach, and season with salt and black pepper. Crumble goat cheese into bowl, and toss gently to combine.

LENTIL, TOMATO, AND GOAT CHEESE SALAD

Steps:

• Cook lentils in medium pot of boiling salted water until just tender, about 25 minutes, and drain well.
• Whisk together in a large bowl vinegar, green onions and mustard in large bowl.
• Gradually whisk in oil.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add lentils and let stand until cool.
• When cool, add cucumber, tomatoes, onion, dill, parsley and garlic to lentil mix.
• Season again with salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and chill about 1 hour.
• Just before serving, crumble goat cheese over salad and mix gently to combine.
• If using lightly-toasted nuts, sprinkle over salad and gently mix in, reserving 2 T to garnish on the top.

BAKED LENTILS WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Place the lentils in a large saucepan or soup pot with the halved onion, the garlic cloves, and the bay leaf. Add enough water to cover by 1 1/2 inches. Bring to a simmer, add 1 teaspoon salt, cover and simmer 30 minutes, or until the lentils are tender all the way through but intact. Set a strainer over a bowl and drain the lentils. Remove the onion halves, bay leaf, and garlic and discard. Return the liquid to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to 1/2 cup.
• Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Whisk together the vinegar, garlic, Dijon mustard, olive oil, and cooking liquid from the lentils. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Toss with the lentils. Stir in the parsley (or parsley and chives), place in a baking dish and top with the rounds of goat cheese. Heat through for 15 minutes, until the goat cheese has softened, and serve.