Oriental lentil salad – fresh & spicy
This oriental lentil salad tastes like the Levant – fresh, colorful and full of flavors that combine to create an irresistible taste sensation. Whether as a light main course, as part of a mezze or as a side dish with grilled food – this fruity salad with lentils, tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, pomegranate seeds and feta is always perfect.
Sun-ripened ingredients for aromatic salad with lentils
Lentils are very popular in Levantine cuisine because they contain a lot of protein, are filling and wonderfully versatile. Most recipes use red lentils, but for this oriental lentil salad recipe I have used plate lentils, as they don’t break down so quickly during cooking and retain a bite.
Beluga lentils are also particularly suitable for salads, as they retain their shape when cooked. If you would like to try a colorful salad with other lentils, I recommend the beluga lentil salad with feta cheese.
In addition to the small pulses, a few fresh ingredients are added to the bowl. Crunchy cucumber, peppers and cherry tomatoes, fresh herbs, creamy feta and sweet and sour pomegranate seeds. These ingredients not only taste wonderfully aromatic, but also look fantastic and make the lentil salad not only a feast for the palate, but also a feast for the eyes.
You will need the following ingredients for the oriental lentil salad:
- Plate lentils: alternatively Beluga lentils or mountain lentils
- Cherry tomatoes: or diced vine tomatoes
- Mini cucumber: half a cucumber also works
- Red peppers: green or yellow peppers make the salad even more colorful
- Spring onion: for a mild spiciness
- Herbs: parsley & mint
- Feta: preferably creamy
- Pomegranate seeds: round off the lentil salad with feta
- Lemon: lemon zest and lemon juice for the acidity
- Olive oil: to release the vitamins
- Spices: Cumin & cinnamon and salt & pepper to taste
Simple oriental-style lentil salad
The great thing about this salad is that you can prepare it quickly and easily. You can enjoy a colorful bowl full of it in just 30 minutes. This makes oriental lentil salad a healthy and refreshing after-work dish.
You can enjoy your bowl of happiness in just a few steps:
- Cook the lentils until al dente.
- Chop the vegetables, herbs and feta.
- Mix the dressing.
- Mix everything together in a bowl and serve the salad.
Preparing the salad with lentils is really easy and you can combine all the flavors in one bowl and enjoy it in no time. I hope you enjoy slicing and, of course, bon appétit.
If you like this lentil salad recipe, I would be delighted if you would rate it or leave a comment.
Quick recipe for oriental lentil salad
Ingredients
For the lentil salad
- 250 g Plate lenses
- 200 g Cherry tomatoes
- 1 Mini cucumber
- 1 small red peppers
- 1 Spring onion
- 15 Parsley
- 15 Mint
- 180 g Feta cheese
- 80 Pomegranate seeds
For the dressing
- 80 ml Lemon juice and lemon zest
- 30 ml Olive oil
- 1 ½ Teaspoon Cumin
- 1 Pinch cinnamon
- Salt, pepper
Zubereitung
- Cook the lentils in a pan of water for approx. 15-20 minutes over a medium heat until al dente. Then rinse with cold water.
- Wash the vegetables and herbs and then pat dry or shake dry with kitchen paper.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes, quarter the cucumber lengthways and cut into pieces, deseed the peppers and cut into small cubes, slice the spring onions and rings and roughly chop the herbs.
- To make the dressing, wash the lemon, grate the zest and squeeze out the juice.
- Mix the lemon juice and lemon zest with the olive oil, cumin and cinnamon in a small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Crumble the feta, mix with the pomegranate seeds, vegetables and dressing and serve.
Notes
Nährwerte
4 reasons to try the orienatlian lentil salad
- Suitable for meal prep: the salad keeps for 2-3 days in an airtight container in the fridge – perfect for the office or a picnic.
- Vegan option: Simply replace the feta with a plant-based alternative or leave it out completely.
- Even more filling: Mixed with some bulgur or quinoa, the salad becomes a full main course.
- Flavors of the Levant: Different textures and lots of spice make the salad special.
Would you like to try another delicious salad? Then try the lentil salad with apple.
You can also follow me on Instagram for even more inspiration about Levante cuisine.
