Simple Sundays | Fig and Apricot Summer Lentil Salad
Relish fig and apricot season with this wholesome Fig and Apricot Summer Lentil Salad! Some of my favorite summer fruits shine among bites of lentils, crunchy almonds, and salty feta cheese.
Relish fig and apricot season with this wholesome Fig and Apricot Summer Lentil Salad! Some of my favorite summer fruits shine among bites of lentils, crunchy almonds, and salty feta cheese.
I can’t quite explain it, but for some odd reason, when I come home from the farmer’s market, I treat my haul with more reverence than the food I bring home from a visit to the grocery store. They feel precious to me, to be treated with care.
Summer berries from the store can go into crisps and galettes, yet when I hold pintfuls of berries in my hand from the farmer’s market, I cringe at the thought of doing nothing more than eating them plain.
Is it because I carefully picked each one, and chatted with the farmer who harvested them for us to enjoy? Is it because my daughter carefully inspected each pluot to her liking? What is it that makes me want to put this fruit on a pedestal and do it justice?
This weekend’s trip to the farmer’s market is always my favorite – because it is the first weekend we see my favorite apricots, and also because I was reunited with my beloved figs. These two fruits I treat especially with care, since the seasons are so fleeting; to do much more than rinse and eat almost seems like a crime.
But when we get home from the market, I am hungry, and I can’t resist putting them into something wholesome, something that won’t make me feel guilty, something that is worthy of my cherished market haul.
Fig and Apricot Summer Lentil Salad
I do have a standby from Trader Joe’s that comes in handy for this kind of occasion. Their cooked lentils are a convenience I will keep on hand – they’re great for lentil bolognese, creamy soups, stuffed peppers, and better for you chili. And when you dress them with an easy vinaigrette, toss in some salty feta and crunchy almonds, they’re the perfect bed for sweet figs and apricots to rest.
This Fig and Apricot Summer Lentil Salad was my lunch after the market, and I didn’t feel guilty one bit – I felt like I treated my haul very fairly indeed.
More Summer Salads
Avocado Cucumber Salad
Berry Jicama Salad
Fireworks Pasta Salad
Halloumi Salad with Beets and Blackberries
Tomato, Corn and Nectarine Chickpea Salad
Fig and Apricot Summer Lentil Salad
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked lentils
- 4 cups baby spinach
- 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
- 3/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1/4 teaspoon honey
- 1/4 cup good olive oil
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 oz crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup almonds if you have Marcona almonds, they're wonderful here
- 6 apricots I used CandyCots - a treat if you can get your hands on them, pitted and sliced
- 4 large figs such as Black Mission figs, stems trimmed and figs quartered
Instructions
- In a large bowl, toss together the lentils and baby spinach. Whisk together the sherry vinegar, Dijon mustard and honey. Once combined, gradually add the olive oil while mixing. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Use about half of the dressing to dress the lentil and spinach, and gently toss to coat. Stir in the feta cheese and almonds.
- Divide the lentil mixture into serving bowls and top with apricot and fig slices. Drizzle with additional dressing. Serve immediately.
Nutrition
Comments
COOKBOOK
Haha, I’m the same way with farmers market produce. It’s like rare gems. This sounds delicious.
Figs is in season again and they make a great salad! Farmers Market is the best when it comes to finding fresh and delicious fruits. Love this recipe.
http://ontherye.com/
You are awesome. Learning so much.
I am obsessed with anything and everything involving figs and cannot wait to try this salad, Liren! Your photos are stunning!
If i say’s one word this salad made me crazy with its taste. I absolutely feel the way you found the product from the farmers market. Thank you for sharing for this recipe in this summer session.
Fingers crossed I can find some fresh apricots at our farmers’ market! This is one gorgeous, irresistible salad!
This is a gorgeous salad, Liren. And I totally agree with you about the farmers markets hauls. Great care must be taken! I’m happy figs are back (and rainier cherries too = my fav!).
So gorgeous! I honestly always feel like the produce I get from the farmer’s market is more vibrant too – like it’s too beautiful to hide in a baked good!
I said it on Instagram too, but I feel the need to say it again. Those figs are so gorgeous. I feel the same way you do with fresh produce from the farmer’s market. It’s a beautiful thing to be able to support local farmers and also take such great care of their product. I’m going to feature your salad in a roundup I’m creating for Foodie.com!
What a lovely salad! You’re making me hungry!
Beautiful salad Liren! I actually feel the same way when I come home from the farmer’s market. Fruit and veggies on a pedestal is a perfect way to say it. I treat them more special that the ones from the regular store. All I can say, is you make your farmer’s market haul very proud! Cheers!!