Monday, January 10, 2011

Beluga French Lentil Salad with Fresh Peas and Radish


Black Beluga Lentil Salad with Fresh Peas and Radish:

1 cup black beluga lentils.
2 cups chicken stock.
1 cup fresh shelled peas slightly blanched in salted water 1-2 mins.
4-6 cherry belle radishes sliced very thin and blanched 1 min.
3 Tbs good finishing olive oil.
1-2 tbs fresh lemon juice.
salt.
freshly cracked black pepper.
serve over baby arugula or watercress.
Sort lentils and rinse well. Add to 2 cups chicken stock. Bring to boil. Turn down to simmer and cook until just tender 20 mins or so. Drain and reserve. Add blanched peas , radishes, olive oil and lemon juice. Stir gently. Salt and pepper to taste. Serve over baby arugula or watercress.

A wonderful lentil salad I made for lunch the other day with some frozen fresh peas I had from earlier in the season and some beautiful Cherry Belle radishes I saw at Whole Foods.
Black Beluga lentils have a mild earthy flavor and hold their shape as well as their texture. Which makes them perfect for salads. I like to cook mine in chicken or vegetable stock which doesn't take away from their original flavor but seems to add a richness to the dish. These lentils glisten when they are cooked which makes them look like beluga caviar, thus the name. I also like to use them on bruschetta because they mimic caviar.

This is such a good example of how you can take something so simple as black lentils and really make them pop with surprise and delight simply by adding some beautiful colors and a simple dressing.
The peppery crunch of the radish and the sweet, barely cooked peas create a wonderful play on color and texture.
I served this over some baby arugula that I couldn't pass up at the market, some sliced toasted garlic baguette and a crisp white wine.

Enjoy!!

11 comments:

  1. That looks so healthy but full of flavour and beautiful bright ingredients!

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  2. Thanks Brittany. I hope you give it a try. We all can use healthy after the holidays. Thanks for stopping by.B:)

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  3. This is exactly the type of salad I'm always on the lookout for. Plenty of non-meat protein, bright, fresh, delicious, and easy to prepare. You are one creative woman, Beth. Can't wait to try it.

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  4. Amazing looking and I can almost taste the delicious peppery-ness! I love salads and this one looks filling and satisfying. Thanks for the recipe.

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  5. Michele I hope you make it. It's right up your alley. Thanks for the visit. Always appreciated. B:)

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  6. Your so right there, just love it when you find something like this & dress it up in all its finery & make such an outstanding dish, fabulous :)

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  7. Thanks Anna. I wish I was enjoying your sunshine with a nice bottle of wine.B:)

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  8. Beth, that looks wonderful! Love the colours, will bookmark this recipe for the next time we have fresh peas. And note to self: must plant radishes. :)

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  9. Celia My new favorite radish is the watermellon radish. Sooo beautiful. Thanks for popping in girl. I wish I had a big garden like you. B:)

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  10. I love lentils--French and Italian. This salad looks perfect.

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  11. Everything looks so delicous can't wait to try one of the recipes great pictures to thanks aunt beth

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