Summer Lentil Salad

Summer Lentil Salad | Kitchen Confidante | Heirloom Tomatoes

In the days following the July 4th holiday, the sweltering summer days begged for something cool and refreshing, and our over-indulged stomachs yearned for something light and crunchy. The weekend marathon of grilling mountains of meats, the helpings of pie, and the many glasses of wine came to a much needed end. It was time to focus on eating cleanly again.

Summer Lentil Salad | Kitchen Confidante | Heirloom Tomatoes

To focus on true summer tastes. To appreciate the sweetness and unique beauty of that heirloom tomato.

Summer Lentil Salad | Kitchen Confidante | In Bowl

This Summer Lentil Salad has everything I could want in a salad: the crunch of the cucumber, the bursts of sweetness from the tomato, tangy nuggets of crumbled feta cheese, and the refreshing coolness of mint. Supporting these flavors are tiny bites of lentils, dressed in a perfect white balsamic dressing. This salad compliments so many main dishes, but to be honest, one bowlful is so wholesome and perfect for a lunch…all by itself.

Summer Lentil Salad

Make the most of those beautiful heirloom tomatoes in this very summery salad. It pairs beautifully with a flavorful roast chicken, grilled steak, simple fish - almost anything! And of course, it is wonderful as a vegetarian main dish as well.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 scallions, finely chopped
2 cups peeled and cubed English cucumber
1 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
2 cups cooked lentils*
1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
2 fresh mint leaves, minced
kosher salt (to taste)
freshly ground black pepper (to taste)

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk together the white balsamic vinegar and Dijon mustard. Whisk in the olive oil, then stir in the scallions. Set the dressing aside. Whisk once more before using.

In a medium bowl, combine the cucumber, tomato, lentil, feta cheese and mint leaves. Toss with the dressing. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

If you happen to live near a Trader Joe's, making this salad becomes a snap. Take advantage of their cooked lentils, which you can find in the refrigerated part of the produce section, near the fresh herbs.

by Liren on July 8, 2011

31 Comments

« Previous Post

Maureen — July 8, 2011 @ 5:29 am (#
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Another winner from you! Such a delicious salad.
- Liren replied: — July 8th, 2011 @ 2:05 pm
  
  Thank you Maureen!!
Mdivani — July 8, 2011 @ 7:18 am (#
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Mmmmmmm lentils! I looooooove lentils and this recipe sounds incredible. And just in time for the weekend!
- Liren replied: — July 8th, 2011 @ 2:05 pm
  
  Mdivani, I did think of you when I ate this salad – it’s right up your alley :)
norma — July 8, 2011 @ 7:54 am (#
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I can have lentils every day. This salad is so homey and refreshing especially additing the cucumbes and mint…I would also have a glass of wine:p
- Liren replied: — July 8th, 2011 @ 2:05 pm
  
  LOL, then I will have to pour you a glass of wine to go with this salad, Norma. Cheers :)
Hester aka The Chef Doc — July 8, 2011 @ 8:48 am (#
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What a gorgeous and nutritious salad!
Kelly — July 8, 2011 @ 8:59 am (#
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Mmm this salad looks fantastic!! :)
Jessica — July 8, 2011 @ 9:02 am (#
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This looks so fresh and colorful! It’s a perfect summer salad!
Lauren at Keep It Sweet — July 8, 2011 @ 9:18 am (#
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What a great summer salad! Lentils are a great alternative to the usual beans or chickpeas.
- Liren replied: — July 8th, 2011 @ 2:04 pm
  
  I agree! I love beans and chickpeas, too, but I love using lentils in salads too. They often get overlooked, don’t they?
Marvin — July 8, 2011 @ 9:47 am (#
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I can see how this could be both light and filling with the lentils. Great looking salad.
Isabelle @ Crumb — July 8, 2011 @ 12:21 pm (#
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It’s been pretty hot and muggy lately, so this salad sounds positively divine right now… so fresh and crisp. It kind of reminds me of some of the salads I had when I was in Israel last year, with all those cucumbers and tomatoes and cheese.
In fact, I think I might to make this on the weekend, considering we have vegetarian friends coming over for dinner! :)
- Liren replied: — July 8th, 2011 @ 2:02 pm
  
  Yes! I put some in some pita bread today and it reminded me of a deconstructed falafel of sorts! Hope you and your friends enjoy :)
Ridwan — July 8, 2011 @ 12:27 pm (#
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i’m sure taste great,is very healty salad Yum :)
olivia — July 8, 2011 @ 1:36 pm (#
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This is SO ‘what’s for dinner’ tonight. Can you tell me though (silly question): what is your best method for cooking lentils?
- Liren replied: — July 8th, 2011 @ 2:01 pm
  
  Isn’t it, Olivia? I just had another bowlful for lunch. And not a silly question! So, if you have time to go to TJ’s, you can use their cooked lentils in the refrigerated section. If not, then I would soak the lentils in hot water for about 15 minutes, then let them come to a boil in a large pot of water. No need to worry about flavoring the water since you will dress it with the balsamic dressing later. The timing will depend on your lentils, but between 45 mins to an hour later, your lentils should be good to go. Just drain and let them cool!
Annapet — July 8, 2011 @ 3:47 pm (#
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I’m with you with clean-eating, Liren! I for one can eat all the meat I cure and all the sweets I bake.

I’ve never cooked lentils and thanks for the tip that it’s like cooking mung beans! thank you for sharing this!
Jeannette — July 8, 2011 @ 4:03 pm (#
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Perfect timing! I’ve been looking for alternatives to mixed greens and cabbage salads. I also recently discovered English cucumbers at my local grocer, and may never go back to regular cukes. ;) Have a good weekend!
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen — July 8, 2011 @ 6:41 pm (#
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Mmm, you have me craving this beautiful salad. Clean eating tastes sooo good!
Ann — July 8, 2011 @ 9:11 pm (#
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It looks absolutely delicious! The tomatoes *sigh* beautiful! I agree – a perfect dish after an indulgent week!
trisa — July 9, 2011 @ 1:15 pm (#
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I’m at TJ’s now getting the ingredients! Thanks for the yummy recipe!
Chef Dennis — July 9, 2011 @ 1:46 pm (#
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what a perfect salad! I think I could even get my wife to eat lentils this way!! I love those sweet little tomatoes, and the feta really adds to the salad, I do love the tang of feta.
Hope your summer is going well!
Monet — July 9, 2011 @ 5:36 pm (#
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I’ve become addicted to those heirloom cherry tomatoes. I’m buying a pint every other day. I’m glad to have another recipe that utilizes them :-) Thank you for sharing your creative self with me today. I hope you are having a happy weekend. Mine just got a bit brighter. Hugs and love from Austin!
trisa — July 9, 2011 @ 6:07 pm (#
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Liren, its delicious! I’m having it now as my dinner and am already looking forward to lunch tomorrow. I picked up the mini heirloom tomatoes at TJs too. Thanks again
- Liren replied: — July 9th, 2011 @ 6:11 pm
  
  SO happy to hear you liked it! I had you in mind when I made it this week :) TJ’s rocks, doesn’t it?
Dmarie — July 10, 2011 @ 2:20 pm (#
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this looks wonderful…must…make…soon!!
Skylar — July 12, 2011 @ 6:05 pm (#
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I cannot wait until the good tomatoes come in! This looks really good
Gina @ Skinnytaste — July 13, 2011 @ 4:44 pm (#
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This looks so fresh and delicious, love it!!
Pingback: Languid Days of Summer « loosedirections
trisa — August 20, 2011 @ 9:12 am (#
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I’m making this for our end of summer block party tomorrow! Thanks again – love it