Green Lentil Salad with Red Peppers and Shallots
Green French lentils have a nutty, peppery flavor and a firm texture that holds up well to cooking and marinating. This flavorful legume salad makes a delicious accompaniment to broiled salmon with lemon or a simple roast chicken.
Ingredients
- 1 cup small green or brown lentils
- 3 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced shallots
- 1/2 cup roasted red pepper strips
- 3 1/2 Tbs. sherry vinegar
- 3 Tbs. coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1/2 tsp. salt
Directions
Pick over the lentils to remove misshapen ones, then rinse and drain. Bring a saucepan of water to a boil over high heat. Add the lentils, reduce the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender to the bite, 18 to 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a large nonstick fry pan over medium-high heat, warm 2 Tbs. of the olive oil. Add the shallots and cook until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Reduce the heat and cook, stirring frequently, until the shallots are browned, 5 to 8 minutes more. Set aside.
Drain the lentils and put in a bowl. Stir in the bell pepper strips, vinegar, parsley, salt, shallots and the remaining 1 Tbs. olive oil.
Serve the salad warm or at room temperature, stirring well before serving. Serves 4.
Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Eat Well, by Charity Ferreira (Oxmoor House, 2008).