Lentil Salad with Olives, Mint, and Feta is a delicious and refreshing dish that showcases the earthy and tender texture of lentils, paired with a tangy vinaigrette and flavorful mix-ins. The challenge of maintaining the lentils’ shape and firm-tender bite is overcome by salt-soaking the lentils, which softens their skins and reduces the risk of blowouts during cooking. Cooking the lentils gently in the oven ensures they remain intact, creating a delightful salad base.
The zesty white wine vinegar vinaigrette combines harmoniously with the extra-virgin olive oil, while the fresh mint, minced shallot, and chopped kalamata olives add bold flavors and brighten the salad. A final sprinkle of rich feta cheese adds a touch of creaminess and completes this delightful lentil salad.
SERVES 4 TO 6
INGREDIENTS:
- Salt and pepper
- 1 cup lentils, picked over and rinsed
- 5 garlic cloves, lightly crushed and peeled
- 1 bay leaf
- 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
- ½ cup chopped fresh mint
- 1 large shallot, minced
- 1 ounce feta cheese, crumbled (¼ cup)
- 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
INSTRUCTIONS:
- Salt-Soak the Lentils: Dissolve 1 teaspoon of salt in 4 cups of warm water (about 110 degrees Fahrenheit) in a bowl. Add the lentils and soak them at room temperature for 1 hour. Drain the lentils well.
- Oven Cooking: Adjust the oven rack to the middle position and preheat it to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. Combine the drained lentils, 4 cups of water, garlic cloves, bay leaf, and ½ teaspoon of salt in a medium saucepan. Cover the saucepan, transfer it to the oven, and cook the lentils until they are tender but still hold their shape, which should take about 45 to 60 minutes.
- Prepare the Vinaigrette: Drain the lentils well, discarding the garlic and bay leaf. In a large bowl, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil and white wine vinegar. Add the drained lentils, coarsely chopped kalamata olives, chopped fresh mint, and minced shallot, and toss everything together to combine. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.
- Add Feta Cheese: Transfer the lentil salad to a serving dish and sprinkle it with crumbled feta cheese. You can serve the salad warm or at room temperature.
VARIATIONS:
Lentil Salad with Olives, Mint, and Feta can be adapted with various mix-ins to create exciting flavor combinations. Here are some delicious variations to try:
- Lentil Salad with Hazelnuts and Goat Cheese: Use red wine vinegar instead of white wine vinegar and add 2 teaspoons of Dijon mustard to the dressing. Omit olives and substitute ¼ cup of chopped fresh parsley for mint. Use ½ cup of crumbled goat cheese instead of feta and sprinkle the salad with ⅓ cup of coarsely chopped toasted hazelnuts before serving.
- Lentil Salad with Carrots and Cilantro: Substitute lemon juice for white wine vinegar. Toss 2 peeled carrots, cut into 2-inch-long matchsticks, with 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, and ⅛ teaspoon of cayenne pepper in a bowl. Cover and microwave until the carrots are tender but still crisp (about 2 to 4 minutes). Use the carrots instead of olives and substitute ¼ cup of chopped fresh cilantro for mint. Omit the shallot and feta from this variation.
- Lentil Salad with Spinach, Walnuts, and Parmesan Cheese: Use sherry vinegar instead of white wine vinegar. Place 4 cups of baby spinach and 2 tablespoons of water in a bowl, cover, and microwave until the spinach wilts and its volume is halved (about 3 to 4 minutes). Remove the bowl from the microwave, keep it covered for 1 minute, and then transfer the spinach to a colander. Gently press the spinach to release liquid, then roughly chop it on a cutting board. Return the chopped spinach to the colander and press again. Replace the olives and mint with chopped spinach and use ¾ cup of coarsely grated Parmesan cheese instead of feta. Before serving, sprinkle the salad with ⅓ cup of coarsely chopped toasted walnuts.
Enjoy the delightful variety of Lentil Salad with Olives, Mint, and Feta and its versatile adaptations, allowing you to explore different flavor combinations and textures to suit your preferences. Serve this wholesome and flavorful lentil salad as a delicious side dish or a satisfying light meal.
