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French Lentil and Roasted Beet Salad

 

 

Unique, delicious salad...
 

 

 

SALAD:

 

1 lb 

 

beets (about 3 medium), red, gold, striped, or a mixture

 

1 Tbs 

 

olive oil

 

1 cup 

 

de Puy lentils (small, slate-green lentils from France

 

2 tsp 

 

chopped fresh rosemary, divided

 

1 whole 

 

bay leaf (dried or fresh)

 

2 large 

 

cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed

 

½ medium 

 

onion, studded with a whole clove

 

½ tsp 

 

kosher salt, plus additional for seasoning to taste

 

¼ cup 

 

minced fresh flat-leaf parsley

 

 

 

freshly ground black pepper to taste

 

6 cups 

 

mixed greens

 

6 ounces 

 

aged goat cheese
 

 

 

 

DRESSING (makes 1/2 cup):

 

3 Tbs 

 

aged sherry wine vinegar

 

2 Tbs 

 

whole-grain mustard

 

1 tsp 

 

kosher salt

 

 

 

freshly ground black pepper to taste

 

1/3 cup 

 

extra-virgin olive oil

 

2 medium 

 

shallots, minced

 

 

1

Preheat oven to 400°F. Trim all but 1 inch of the beet stems. Put the beets on a large piece of aluminum foil, drizzle with olive oil, and seal the foil to make a tight package. Put the package in a small roasting pan. Roast the beets until easily pierced with a knife, about 1 hour. When the beets are cool enough to handle, peel them- the skins should slide right off with a bit of pressure from your fingers. If they don't, use a paring knife to scrape off any bits that stick. Dice the beets and set aside.

2

While you roast the beets, spread the lentils on a pan and pick out any pebbles or other foreign matter; rinse and drain. Put the lentils in a saucepan with cold water to cover by about 2 inches. Add 1 tsp. chopped rosemary and the bay leaf to the pan, along with the smashed garlic, onion, and ½ tsp. salt. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce the heat and simmer, uncovered, until the lentils are tender, about 25 minutes. Strain the lentils and discard garlic and onion.

3

While lentils are simmering, prepare the salad dressing: Whisk vinegar with mustard, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Gradually whisk in the olive oil, starting with a few drops and then adding the rest in a steady stream to make a smooth, slightly thick vinaigrette. Stir in the shallots. Use immediately or refrigerate in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 days.

4

Put the warm lentils in a bowl and stir in half of the dressing. Cool the lentils completely, then add the beets, parsley, and remaining 1 tsp. chopped rosemary. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Lightly dress the greens with a bit of the dressing and divide among 6 plates. Spoon some of the lentil salad onto the greens, crumble goat cheese over each serving, and drizzle with some of the remaining vinaigrette.

 

Servings: 6

 

 Cooking Tips

*It's ok to use regular lentils if you're not able to find the French lentils.

 

 Recipe Source

Food Network Kitchens Cookbook

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