Lentil Salad with Curry Spices & Yogurt
Description
"This delicate salad is full of punch" is how our friend Annie Somerville describes this terrific recipe in her famed FIELDS OF GREENS Cookbook. Tangy yogurt, fragrant spices along with lemon juice and cilantro balance the cayenne pepper to make this an unusually delightful and nutritious salad. Annie recommends serving with grilled pita bread.
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Du Puy lentils
1 Bay Leaf
1/4 medium-size Red Onion, diced (about 1/2 cup)
Champagne vinegar
1 small Carrot, diced (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup Plain Yogurt
3 tablespoons fresh Lemon Juice
1 1/2 teaspoons Cumin Seed, toasted and ground
1/2 teaspoon ground Turmeric
1/4 teaspoon ground Coriander
1 teaspoon Salt
1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
1/8 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/2 Red Bell Pepper, diced (about 1/2 cup)
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped Cilantro
Methods/steps
Rinse the lentils and place them in medium-size saucepan; cover generously with cold water and add the bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
While lentils are simmering, bring a small pot of water to a boil and drop the onion in for 15 seconds. Scoop out with a strainer and toss with a splash of Champagne vinegar. Drop the carrot in for 1 minute, then drain and set aside.
In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon Champagne vinegar, spices, salt, cayenne, and black pepper.
Drain the lentils when tender; remove the bay leaf and immediately toss with the vegetables and the yogurt mixture. The lemon flavor will be strong at first, but the lentils will gradually absort it. Toss in the cilantro just before serving.
Reviews
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Created by DaveO
The perfect pureed summer soup when zucchini or summer squash is in abundance. May be served hot or cold. Unassertive, smooth, adaptable to whatever garden herbs are available.
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Additional Tips
This recipe is from the wonderful 1993 Edition of FIELD OF GREENS, New Vegetarian Recipes from the Celebrated Greens Restaurant. Written by famed chef Annie Somerville. We wholeheartedly recommend this book, which is widely available online and at bookstores.