Marinated Lentil Salad Recipes

BIG-BATCH MARINATED LENTILS

Steps:

• Combine lentils and 2 tsp. salt in a large saucepan and pour in cold water to cover by at least 1". Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low and simmer gently until lentils are tender but still have some bite (like al dente pasta), about 20 minutes. Drain and return to pot.
• Meanwhile, whisk oil, vinegar, honey, paprika, and remaining 1 tsp. salt in a small bowl or measuring glass.
• Pour vinaigrette over hot lentils and toss to coat. Let sit at least 10 minutes before serving to give lentils time to absorb flavors from vinaigrette.
• Do ahead: Lentils can be prepared 5 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill.

MARINATED LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the lentils according to the package directions. For most brown lentils, bring 3 cups of water to boil in a pot, add the lentils, then continue to boil for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Drain the lentils in a colander and rinse briefly with cool water until they are cooled.
• While the lentils are cooking, prepare the lemon garlic dressing. Use a microplane, zester, or small-holed cheese grater to remove about 1 Tbsp of the lemon's zest (the thin, yellow, outer layer of the peel). Set the zest aside. Juice the lemon and measure 1/4 cup of the juice to use for the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and some freshly cracked pepper. Set the dressing aside.
• Rinse the parsley well, shake off as much water as possible, then pull the leaves from the stems. Roughly chop the parsley leaves. Cut the grape tomatoes in half. Finely dice the red onion.
• When the lentils are cooked, cooled, and well drained, transfer them to a large bowl. Add the chopped parsley, tomatoes, red onion, crumbled feta, lemon zest, and the prepared dressing. Stir to combine the ingredients and coat everything in dressing.
• Serve immediately, or refrigerate until ready to eat. Always stir the salad just before serving to redistribute the dressing and flavors.

MARINATED LENTILS WITH CRUNCHY VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Cook onion, bay leaves, and lentils in a large saucepan of simmering salted water until lentils are tender but still firm, 15-20 minutes. Drain; discard onion and bay leaves and transfer lentils to a medium bowl.
• Heat oil in a small skillet over medium. Cook coriander seeds and cumin seeds, swirling skillet, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add spice mixture and vinegar to lentils, season with salt and pepper, and toss to coat.
• Just before serving, top lentils with radishes, scallions, herbs, and celery; season with salt and pepper.
• Do Ahead
• Lentils (without herbs and vegetables) can be marinated 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.

MARINATED LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• To prepare vinaigrette, combine first 6 ingredients in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.
• Set aside.
• To prepare the salad, cook the parsnip and carrot in 6 cups boiling water for 1 minute or until tender; remove vegetables with a slotted spoon.
• Add lentils; bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes or until tender; drain in a colander.
• Cool.
• Combine parsnip, carrot, lentils, celery, onions, and parsley in a bowl; stir in vinaigrette.
• Marinate at room temperature for at least 20 minutes.