Chicken Salad With Lentils Peas And Mint Recipes

CHICKEN AND LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat, and cook the chicken pieces 5 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear. Remove chicken from skillet, and set aside.
• Place onion in the skillet, and cook 5 minutes, until tender. Mix in the carrot and garlic. Stir in the lentils and broth, and season with salt. Bring to a boil, cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 20 minutes.
• Return chicken to skillet. Cover, and continue cooking 20 minutes. If the mixture becomes too dry, add a little water to just moisten.
• Stir tomato sauce into the skillet. Season with rosemary and basil. Continue cooking 10 minutes, or until lentils are tender. Stir in lemon juice, and serve warm.

CHICKEN SALAD WITH LENTILS, PEAS AND MINT

Steps:

• Bring 3 cups water and lentils to boil in heavy medium saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until lentils are tender, but still retain shape, about 20 minutes. Drain well. Transfer lentils to large bowl. Mix in 1 tablespoon lemon juice and 1 tablespoon oil. Cover and refrigerate.
• Rub chicken breasts on both sides with curry powder. Season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 teaspoon olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts to skillet and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to plate and refrigerate until well chilled.
• Add chicken broth to same skillet and bring to boil. Add cauliflower and peas and cook over high heat until vegetables are crisp-tender and most of liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Add mixture to lentils.
• Cut chicken into 1/2-inch cubes and add to lentils along with any accumulated juices. Mix in diced tomatoes, diced cucumber, sliced green onions, sour cream and chopped fresh mint. Season salad to taste with salt and pepper. cover and refrigerate until well chilled, about 2 hours. (Salad can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.
• Toss watercress with remaining 2 tablespoons lemon juice and 2 tablespoons oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Mix pear into chicken salad. Mound chicken salad in center of 4 plates. Surround with watercress. Garnish salad with tomato wedges and mint sprigs and serve.

LENTIL-AND-MINT SALAD

Steps:

• Place lentils in a medium saucepan and cover with tepid water. Set aside to soak for 30 minutes. Drain the lentils and return them to the saucepan. Add the yellow onion, thyme, garlic and bay leaf. Cover the lentils by 2 inches with cold water and place over high heat. Bring to a boil, lower the heat to a simmer and cook until the lentils are tender but not mushy, about 30 minutes.
• Remove the lentils from the heat. Discard the onion, thyme, garlic and bay leaf and drain the lentils. Place them in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice, salt and cumin and pour over the lentils. Add the red onion and bell pepper and toss. Stir in the mint just before serving. Serve warm or cold with roasted lamb, beef or poultry.

LENTIL SALAD WITH MINT AND FETA

Steps:

• Place lentils in heavy large saucepan. Cover lentils with 4 inches of water. Season water with salt. Boil until lentils are just tender, about 25 minutes. Drain. Cool slightly.
• Combine oil, vinegar, mint and garlic in large bowl. Add warm lentils; toss well. Refrigerate until well chilled. (Lentils can be prepared 1 day ahead.)
• Add tomatoes, bell pepper and green onions to lentils. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide salad among plates. Sprinkle feta over lentils.