Quick, Simple Lentil & Rocket Salad
Ok so this is not your average salad. The lentils take it to the next level, and if you add some dressing, then wow! This will be a show stopper at any party. Once you try it, you will be making it every week. It’s nice, light and filling. I love making this salad daily!! And best of all, my kids love it!
So for this recipe you need the following ingredients:
- Lentils – I use brown canned lentils, drained and rinsed.
- Chilli Oil – You can use any oil, but I love chilli oil for this recipe.
- Pine nuts – I love roasted pine nuts and I know they are pricey, but they just add this textural element to the salad that is mouth watering. But if you don’t have them, you can always use sunflower seeds or walnuts.
- Spices – smoked paprika, onion powder & garlic powder
- Currants (optional) – I like them for their sweet hit
- Rocket – you can also use spinach but I love rocket. I love the peppery flavour. You can always substitute spinach.
- Avocado
- Red onion – very thinly sliced
So to add some extra flavour to these lentils, heat up some oil in the fry pan. Drain and rinse you lentils then add them to the pan. Add the pine nuts and spices. Let it cook until the lentils have dried out. They will be slightly crispy.
Once the lentils are cooked, remove them from the heat. You can use the lentils warm or cold. I like to use them warm. So add your rocket to a bowl followed buy 1/2 cup of your lentils. Save the rest for left overs the next day and make another salad (yum)! Add some currants and avocado. I like to add a sprinkle of red onion on top but this is optional. This salad does not need a dressing, but if your like me and you love a dressing on your salad, I use the good old balsamic vinegar, mustard and maple syrup. Just a drizzle on top and your in heaven.
Quick, Simple Lentil & Rocket Salad
Equipment
- 1 Fry Pan
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp chilli oil or olive oil
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1 can brown lentils rinsed & drained
- ¼ cup pinenuts
- ¼ cup currants optional
- 1 bag rocket or spinach (or both)
- ½ avocado
- ¼ red onion finely sliced for garnish
Instructions
- Heat up the oil in the fry pan, & add the spices. Fry off for 1min
- Add the drained & rinsed lentils to the fry pan. Fry off for 1min
- Add the pinenuts & allow them to brown for 1-2minutes
- Once the lentils start to dry out and crisp up, they are ready. Take them off the heat & add the currants.
- Place the rocket in a bowl & add the lentils on top along with the avocado.
- Garnish with the red onion & serve warm. Can also be eaten cold.
Notes
- Feta in oil is also delicious when added with some of the oil
- You can also add some balsamic vinegar dressing. Just add some 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1 tsp maple syrup and 1 tsp dijorn mustard together and drizzle on top. I prefer the to make my dressings oil free.
