Simple Lentil Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Combine lentils and water in a saucepan; bring to a boil. Cook lentils at a boil until tender, about 20 minutes; drain.
• Mix kidney beans, corn, and parsley in a bowl; add lentils and gently stir.
• Whisk olive oil, balsamic vinaigrette, sugar, salt, and black pepper together in a separate bowl; drizzle over lentil mixture and gently stir.
• Cover bowl with plastic wrap; refrigerate until lentils are completely chilled, about 1 hour.

Steps:

• Wash lentils.
• Add water to cover lentils, boil for 2 minutes.
• Add whole onion (studded with cloves), salt, and bay leaf.
• Remove from heat, cover, and let stand 1 hour.
• Bring to boil and cover.
• Simmer gently (to prevent breaking) for about 15 minutes (until tender, do not overcook).
• Drain, remove bay leaf and onion, then cool.
• Add scallions and parsley.
• Whisk olive oil and lemon juice to make an emulsion.
• Pour over lentil mixture and toss.
• Chill and serve.

Steps:

• Whisk the vinegar, olive oil, mustard, salt, pepper, parsley and thyme together in a large mixing bowl. Add the warm lentils and bacon and stir to combine. Serve warm or at room temperature.;
• Pick over the lentils, rinse and drain. Place the lentils along with the onion, garlic, bay leaf, salt and pork into a large 6-quart saucepan and cover with water by 2 to 3 inches. Place over high heat and bring just to a rolling boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the lentils are tender, approximately 25 to 30 minutes. Drain any remaining liquid and discard the onion, garlic, bay leaf and salt pork. Stir in black pepper and taste for salt. Serve immediately.
• Note from Alton: Those of you who watched this program on the 17th or 18th will want to disregard one particular suggestion I made regarding lentils: don't feed the left over onions to your dog. It turns out onions are not good for dogs in any shape or form. I'm grateful to the fans who emailed me after the airing for setting me straight on this nutritional peculiarity. As for my own dog's ability to digest onions, well...she's more hog than dog I guess.
• Cook smart,
• Alton

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium. Add onion, carrot, and celery, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 6 minutes. Add lentils and cover with 2 inches of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and season with salt and pepper. Let cool.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together remaining oil, lemon juice, and red-pepper flakes. Season with salt. Add lentils, almonds (if using), cabbage, and herbs and toss to combine. Lentil salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator up to 3 days.