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Greek Lentil Salad

Let’s celebrate all the flavours of the Mediterranean with this Greek inspired lentil salad. Nutty lentils are paired with tangy tomatoes, earthy spinach and salty olives and feta cheese. There’s nothing fresher!

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
50 mins
Servings: 6
Calories: 368 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Main Course , Appetizer
Cuisine: Mediterranean , Greek

Ingredients

For the lentils
  • ½ cup Puy lentils (black lentils/beluga lentils)
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • salt & pepper
For the spinach
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 9 oz baby spinach (250g)
  • 2 garlic cloves (peeled and chopped)
  • salt & pepper
Other
  • ½ cup kalamata olives (pitted)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
  • 1 red chilli pepper (mild) (de seeded and sliced)
  • ½ red onion (thinly sliced)
  • ½ lemon
  • 3½ oz feta cheese (100g)(crumbled)
  • 1 tbsp mixed seed mix (optional)
For the dressing
  • ½ lemon (juice)
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Cook lentils for 25-30 minutes in the stock until just soft. Drain excess liquid, season with salt & pepper and set aside to cool.
  2. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the garlic for 30 seconds
  3. Add a 1/4 cup water and then the spinach leaves. Put on a lid and wilt the spinach for 2-3 minutes. Leave to cool for 10 minutes, then wrap the spinach in a clean tea towel and squeeze out the excess water. 
  4. To make the dressing, whisk together the lemon juice, red wine vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, thyme leaves and honey until emulsified and smooth. Set aside.
  5. Squeeze some lemon juice over the sliced red onion and leave for 2-3 minutes.
  6. Arrange the lentils in a large bowl or platter and then add the olives, tomatoes, pepper, and spinach and then onion.
  7. Crumble over the Feta and then scatter a few of the mixed seeds (if using)
  8. Lastly, pour over the dressing and serve.

Notes

  • This lentil salad can be served as part of a larger feast or as a side dish for fish or meat at room temperature for better flavors.
  • To make the salad more substantial, you can add various proteins such as chunks of jarred tuna and salty anchovies, thick slices of poached chicken, or freshly cooked and peeled prawns/shrimp.
  • The salad can be customized by incorporating additional ingredients like cucumber, crunchy fried pita bread, fried zucchini, fried eggplant, artichoke hearts, blanched green beans, and more. Let your imagination guide you!
  • Once dressed, the salad can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Remember to bring it to room temperature before consuming for the best taste.
  • Note that this salad is not suitable for freezing.
  • This lentil salad can be served as part of a larger feast or as a side dish for fish or meat at room temperature for better flavors.
  • To make the salad more substantial, you can add various proteins such as chunks of jarred tuna and salty anchovies, thick slices of poached chicken, or freshly cooked and peeled prawns/shrimp.
  • The salad can be customized by incorporating additional ingredients like cucumber, crunchy fried pita bread, fried zucchini, fried eggplant, artichoke hearts, blanched green beans, and more. Let your imagination guide you!
  • Once dressed, the salad can be stored in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-3 days. Remember to bring it to room temperature before consuming for the best taste.
  • Note that this salad is not suitable for freezing.

Nutrition Information

Calories 368kcal (18%) Carbohydrates 23g (8%) Protein 11g (22%) Fat 27g (42%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Polyunsaturated Fat 3g Monounsaturated Fat 17g Cholesterol 17mg (6%) Sodium 518mg (22%) Potassium 467mg (13%) Fiber 7g (28%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 4356IU (87%) Vitamin C 42mg (47%) Calcium 160mg (16%) Iron 3mg (17%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 368

% Daily Value*

Calories 368kcal 18%
Carbohydrates 23g 8%
Protein 11g 22%
Fat 27g 42%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 3g 18%
Monounsaturated Fat 17g 85%
Cholesterol 17mg 6%
Sodium 518mg 22%
Potassium 467mg 10%
Fiber 7g 28%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 4356IU 87%
Vitamin C 42mg 47%
Calcium 160mg 16%
Iron 3mg 17%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.