Salads
Lentil salad with red pepper, red onions, feta and mint
This versatile vegetarian lentil salad can be made well in advance and eaten either as a main or as a side. It's also delicious with roasted beetroot, carrot or squash added in, or with a little very finely cooked chilli. Goat's cheese is a good alternative to feta.
Ingredients
- 300g uncooked Puy lentils
- 3 bay leaves
- 4 whole garlic cloves, bruised
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- 6 tbsp olive oil
- 6 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- ½ tsp ground cumin
- 1 small red onion, very finely diced
- 1 medium red bell pepper, deseeded and finely diced
- bunch fresh mint, chopped
- 170g feta cheese
- 18 dark olives (Kalamata would be good)
- salt and pepper
Method
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Step 1
Rinse the lentils and place in a large saucepan with the bay leaves, bruised garlic, and oregano. Cover with water by 2 inches. Bring to the boil, turn down the heat and simmer, uncovered for 20-30 minutes, until tender (add more water if you need to). Drain and cool.
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Step 2
To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, garlic, cumin, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Toss the vinaigrette with the lentils, onions, red pepper, ½ tsp of salt and some pepper. Leave for 20 minutes. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding more vinegar if necessary.
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Step 3
This salad can be prepared a few hours in advance up to this point. To serve, toss the lentil salad with the mint and place on a platter. Garnish with the crumbled feta and the olives.
