French Lentil Salad is a hearty, nutritious, and flavorful dish that’s perfect for any season. Made with earthy green or black lentils, which hold their shape beautifully when cooked, this salad is packed with protein, fiber, and vegetables. Tossed with fresh ingredients like cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, red onion, and herbs like parsley and thyme, the salad is dressed in a zesty Dijon mustard vinaigrette. The result is a light yet filling meal that’s perfect as a side or a main dish. Easy to make, this salad is ideal for meal prep or a quick weeknight dinner, offering both freshness and satisfying flavors in every bite.
Ingredients
- Green lentils 250 g
- Spring onion 2
- Apple Cider Vinegar 2 tablespoons
- Ginger 30 g
- Mustard sauce 1 tablespoon
- Ricotta Cheese 150 g
- Celery 150 g
- Red chilli peppers 2
- Garlic 2 cloves
- Rosemary 1 spring
- Mint 4 leaves
- Basil 8 leaves
- Extra virgin olive oil to taste
- Salt to taste
- Black Pepper to taste
Instructions
Steps:
- If you are using giant green lentils, soak them in a bowl full of water. Let the lentils rehydrate for about 8 hours and then drain them.
- Roughly chop celery and brown it in a pan with garlic cloves, rosemary, and a drizzle of oil. Add the well-drained lentils, mix and cover with water.
- Season with salt and pepper and cook the lentils for about 15 minutes, until they are soft and the liquid has completely evaporated.
- Prepare the dressing for the green lentil salad. Put 2 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, 3 tablespoons of oil and the mustard in a bowl, and emulsify well with a whisk or fork.
- Clean the spring onions and cut them into thin slices. Peel the remaining celery with the potato peeler and cut into slices. Clean the ginger and cut it into strips.
- Remove the ends of the peppers and cut them into rings. Once ready, put the lentils in a bowl and let them cool.
- Season the lentils with the emulsion and mix well. Add the chilli, ginger, spring onion, celery, sprinkled ricotta and finally the coarsely chopped aromatic herbs.
- Serve the French green lentil salad at room temperature or cold.
