French Lentil Salad Recipes

FRENCH LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a medium-sized pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lentils and cook on high for 25 minutes or until lentils are tender but not falling apart.
• While the lentils are boiling, cook the bacon in a skillet over medium heat until crisp. Transfer to a paper towel-line plate to drain.
• When the lentils have about a minute or two to go, add the green beans. Drain in a sieve or colander and cool under cold tap water. Drain well then transfer to a large bowl. Add the radishes and olives.
• Whisk dressing ingredients together in a bowl. Pour over lentils and vegetables as needed and stir. (You may not need all the dressing as you don't want it soggy.)
• TO SERVE: Place frisee lettuce in a large serving bowl. Top with lentil mixture and gently toss to combine. Serve immediately.

FRENCH LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add onion, carrot, and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 6 minutes. Add lentils and cover with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining oil, lemon juice, and red-pepper flakes. Season with salt. Add lentils, almonds (if using), cabbage, and herbs and toss to combine. Lentil salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.

WARM FRENCH LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat the 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saute pan, add the leek and carrots, and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute and set aside.
• Meanwhile, place the lentils, 4 cups of water, the onion with the cloves, and the turnip in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are almost tender. Remove and discard the onion and turnip and drain the lentils. Place them in a medium bowl with the leek and carrots, and add the butter.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the 1/4 cup of olive oil, the mustard, vinegar, salt, and pepper. Add to the lentils, stir well, and allow the lentils to cool until just warm, about 15 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve. The longer the lentils sit, the more salt and pepper you'll want to add.

FRENCH LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Cook 1 cup French lentils in salted simmering water until tender, about 25 minutes, adding 1/2 pound chopped haricots verts during the last minute of cooking; drain and let cool. Whisk 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon each minced shallot, Dijon mustard and chopped thyme in a large bowl; whisk in 1/3 cup olive oil. Add the lentils, haricots verts, 8 sliced radishes, 3 slices thick-cut bacon (chopped and cooked), 2 cups torn frisee and 1/2 cup pitted nicoise olives. Season with salt and pepper and toss.

FRENCH LENTIL SALAD

Steps:

• Combine lentils, bay leaf, garlic, basil, and thyme in a saucepan. Add 2 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer until the lentils are cooked, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from the heat, and discard the bay leaf.
• Tear the tofu into 1/2-inch pieces. Mix it into the hot lentils. Add the tomatoes, onion, corn, and mint, along with the vinegar, lemon juice, and oil. Mix to combine and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Serve at room temperature. (The salad will keep for up to 2 days, covered and refrigerated.)

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.