Quick N Healthy LENTIL SALAD RECIPE
A large bowl of salad is a great work lunch. You can finish it fast and get back to your desk.It is also a great way to attain good health.The below recipe got me hooked to it, the first time I had it.This is one of the most common lentil salad you can see in your local market. It is inspired from Moroccan lentil salad recipe. There are few core ingredients for this recipe. Lentils, kale & dried berries , you can add any other crunchy fresh fruits such as apples and pears.
Benefits of kale
- Powerhouse of vitamin A, folates and B.
- Raw kale helps avoid cancer.
- Helps decrease inflammation and stress in the body.
- Helps lower blood pressure.
Learn to make this easy rainbow lentil salad,this apple lentil salad is very versatile and you can do a number of substitutions or variations.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 5 mins
Lentil cooking time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Servings: 3
Equipment:
- saucepan to cook lentils
- salad bowl or mixing bowl
INGREDIENTS FOR Quick N Healthy LENTIL SALAD RECIPE
⭐1 cup cooked lentils ½ cup raw lentils yield 1 cup cooked lentils
⭐1 cucumber diced
⭐1 apple diced
⭐½ red pepper ½ red pepper yields ½ cup red pepper
⭐½ cup pomegranate seeds
⭐2 tablespoon dried cranberries any dried berries, roughly chopped
⭐6-7 pecan roughly chopped
For dressing
⭐1 tbsp. olive oil optional, I did not use it.
⭐1 tbsp. lemon juice
⭐Salt as per taste add salt just before serving
INSTRUCTIONS FOR Quick N Healthy LENTIL SALAD RECIPE
For the dressing
- Mix all ingredients with a spoon.Keep it aside.
For the salad
- If using raw lentils then Cook lentils with double the amount of water ,drain excess water once the lentils are cooked. You may use canned lentils.
- Add all raw salad ingredients to a bowl
- In the mixing bowl, lemon juice and olive oil.
- Add salt just before serving.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
You can use red kale, tuscan kale or lacinato kale for this recipe if you do not have curly kale or baby kale leaves.You can substitute kale with watercress leaves, arugula leaves or baby spinach. Walnuts ,raw almonds can be used in place of pecans. If you do not have black beluga lentils, you can use green moong lentils, French green lentils or red lentils for the recipe.
VARIATIONS:
You can also add fried onions, green onions or red onion for an extra punch. Refer to this low air fryer onions recipe. Pumpkin seeds and sun-dried tomatoes are a great addition too.For a vegetarian option, you may add some feta cheese to your large mixing bowl. Adding a dash of maple syrup to this side dish makes it a great recipe, if you like it sweeter.
STORAGE:
Store your salad bowl in refrigerator for 1-2 days, although eating it fresh is the best. Alternatively, you can make a batch of boiled lentils and store it in refrigerator for 2-3 days or freeze it. Microwave it for few minutes. Serve after you add fresh raw ingredients & salad dressing whenever you wish to eat.