The older I get, the extra I like lentils. They’re filled with plant-based protein, fiber, nutritional vitamins, and minerals, and you’ll add them to nearly any dish with out stealing the highlight. I LOVE this Lentil and Cranberry Salad recipe. It’s refreshing, gentle, vibrant, and endlessly customizable. Every ingredient has a objective, bringing a bit of one thing completely different to the bowl, and all of it will get tossed in a easy do-it-yourself French dressing. To not point out, the worth tag is simply as lovable. Lentils are one of many most cost-effective pantry staples round, and the entire salad comes along with easy substances that stretch far.
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Straightforward Lentil Salad with Cranberries
I made my summer time lentil salad on repeat in the course of the hotter months, and I’m not fairly able to put away the lentils simply but. For this model, I went for a comfy winter vibe with sweet-tart dried cranberries, salty feta, vibrant Granny Smith apples, and crunchy walnuts. All of it will get tossed with tender cooked lentils and recent spinach, then drizzled with a wonderfully balanced apple cider French dressing. It’s a full meal by itself or a hearty, feel-good facet dish for dinner. I hope you give this lentil cranberry salad recipe a try to get pleasure from it as a lot as I do!
Watch out to not overcook the lentils, or they’ll be mushy. It’s also possible to use different kinds of lentils, however make sure you comply with the instructions on the bundle, as they might require completely different cooking occasions. Quinoa would even be an amazing substitution.
This can be a nice winter-inspired salad, however be at liberty to make use of any fruit or greens that you simply choose. Crimson onions, roasted candy potatoes, pears, pomegranate seeds, beets, and Brussels sprouts are a few of my favourite additions.
You don’t have to make use of feta cheese. Attempt goat cheese, mozzarella, blue cheese, or Parmesan as a substitute. Additionally, you possibly can omit the cheese altogether for an superior vegan meal.
Swap the greens. Substitute the spinach for blended greens, kale, romaine, arugula, or another greens that you simply choose.
Use no matter crunch you could have. I really like walnuts for a crunch, however it’s also possible to use pecans, almonds, pepitas, do-it-yourself croutons, or no matter you’d like!
The dressing is a brief emulsion, so the oil and vinegar will separate because it sits. Dijon mustard helps emulsify the French dressing and maintain the whole lot collectively, however if you happen to make it upfront and don’t use it instantly, it’ll separate. Simply give it a fast shake or stir to recombine earlier than dressing your lentil cranberry salad.
Lentil and Cranberry Salad
Price $9.42 recipe / $1.57 serving
A Lentil and Cranberry Salad with spinach, apples, feta, and walnuts, tossed in a easy apple cider French dressing. Funds-friendly, filling, and versatile.
Collect and put together all substances.
Carry 3 cups of water to a simmer in a medium pot. As soon as it’s simmering, add the lentils. Let the pot return to a simmer and place a lid tilted on prime. Permit the lentils to simmer for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, style the lentils to check the feel. They need to be tender however not mushy. Drain the lentils in a colander and rinse with chilly water to chill.
Whereas the lentils are cooking, make the French dressing. Whisk the lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, Dijon, sugar, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a small bowl till mixed.
Whereas continuously whisking, slowly pour the oil into the bowl till clean. Put aside.
To make the salad, add the cooked lentils and spinach to a big bowl. Add the cranberries, diced apples, feta, and walnuts, then fold.
Drizzle the salad with the French dressing and toss to mix.
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**I used vegetable oil to make the French dressing as a result of that’s what I had available. Be happy to make use of olive oil or another oils you need.
Serving: 1servingEnergy: 288kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 12gFats: 12gSodium: 386mgFiber: 12g
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how you can make Lentil and Cranberry Salad step-by-step pictures
Collect your whole substances.
Prepare dinner the lentils: Add 3 cups of water to a medium saucepan and produce it to a simmer. Stir in 1 cup brown lentils (rinse them and take away any particles first), let the water come again to a simmer, then cowl the pot with the lid barely tilted on prime. Prepare dinner for about 20 minutes. After 20 minutes, test the lentils for doneness; they need to be delicate however nonetheless maintain their form.
Drain the lentils in a colander and rinse with chilly water to cease the cooking course of and funky them down.
Make the dressing: Whereas the lentils prepare dinner, put together the French dressing. Add the juice from one lemon (about 2-3 Tbsp), 1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar, 2 tsp Dijon mustard, 1 tsp sugar, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp salt, and ½ tsp black pepper to a small bowl. Whisk till properly mixed. Now, slowly drizzle in ⅛ cup oil whereas whisking repeatedly till the dressing is clean and emulsified.
Set the dressing apart when you assemble the salad.
Put together the salad: In a big bowl, mix the cooled lentils and 6 oz. recent spinach. Add ½ cup dried cranberries, 1 chopped Granny Smith apple, ½ cup feta, and ⅓ cup chopped walnuts, gently tossing to combine. Pour the French dressing over the salad and toss till the whole lot is evenly coated.
Serve and luxuriate in!
Serving Options
Lentils are excessive in protein and fiber, making this an amazing full meal, or excellent for a facet dish! If you wish to bulk it out some extra, I like to recommend including shredded hen or baked tofu for much more filling energy. As a facet, this salad is tremendous versatile. It’s nice alongside seafood lasagna, pan-seared pork chops, crispy hen schnitzel, or a easy grilled protein. I additionally love serving it at potlucks, packing it up for work lunches, or setting it out as a part of an informal winter dinner unfold.
Storage Directions
Leftovers may be saved in an hermetic container within the fridge for as much as 4 days. Simply remember the fact that the spinach will wilt the longer it’s saved.
