Lentil Beet Salad Recipes

LENTIL BEET SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400F. Rub all of the beets with a light coating of olive oil. Wrap each beet tightly in foil or parchment. Roast the beets for 45 minutes-1 hour, or until they're buttery tender when pierced with a knife. When the beets have cooled for about fifteen minutes, run them under cold water while you slip off their skins. The skins should come off easily. Chop the roasted, skinned beets into pieces that are about 1" (or a little smaller).
• While the beets are roasting, bring a pot of water to boil. Drain the lentils of their soak water, then add them to the pot. Reduce the heat to medium low and simmer the lentils for 25-30 minutes, or until they're tender but still hold their shape. Drain the lentils, taking care to remove as much cooking water as possible so that they're not watery when you add them to the salad.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients.
• Add the prepared beets, lentils, and dressing to a large mixing bowl. Toss to combine. Add the baby arugula and chives, if using. Toss again, gently. Serve the lentil beet salad with your favorite toast or bread.

BEET AND LENTIL SALAD WITH CHEDDAR

Steps:

• Prepare the salad: In a medium pot, add the lentils, garlic and 4 cups water. Season with salt and bring to a boil over high. Reduce heat to medium, cover and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes until just tender. (The lentils should still have some bite). Drain in a colander and stir to break up and evenly distribute the garlic. Let the lentils cool slightly.
• While the lentils cook, prepare the vinaigrette: In a large serving bowl, whisk the garlic, vinegar, oil, maple syrup and mustard with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
• Add the warm lentils to the serving bowl, then add the arugula, herbs and beets. Season with salt and black pepper and toss. Add the Cheddar and toss gently, but don't overdo it because you don't want the cheese to turn crimson from the beets. To serve, top with hazelnuts.

WARM LENTIL SALAD WITH ROASTED BEETS AND GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Begin by roasting the beets.
• Tie onion, carrot, celery, bay leaf, and thyme sprigs together in cheesecloth. Place chicken stock in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Stir in the lentils, season with salt and pepper, and reduce the heat to medium-low and cook until the lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well and discard the cheesecloth bag of aromatics.
• Heat the oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until lightly golden brown. Remove the bacon with a slotted spoon to a dish lined with paper towels. Add the garlic and carrot to the pan and cook until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the cooked lentils and bacon to the pan and stir to combine. Stir in the chopped thyme and 1 tablespoon of sherry vinegar. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Keep warm.
• To assemble, place the frisee in a large bowl, toss with half of the vinaigrette, and season with salt and pepper. Arrange the roasted beets around the outside of 4 dinner plates. Divide the greens among each plate in the center. Top the frisee with some of the warm lentils and place a slice of the goat cheese on top. Drizzle each salad with the remaining vinaigrette. Serve with slices of French bread.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Coat beets lightly with oil. Wrap beets in aluminum foil, place on a baking sheet, and roast in the oven until cooked through, approximately 45 to 60 minutes. Remove from the oven, let cool for 10 minutes, and then peel and slice into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• Whisk together the vinegar, mustard, thyme and salt and pepper in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle in the oil and whisk until emulsified.