Oriental Lentil Salad with Feta: Healthy & Delicious!
This vibrant Oriental Lentil Salad with Feta is a delightful mix of fresh herbs, crunchy vegetables, and a zesty dressing. It’s not only a feast for the senses but also packed with nutrients, making it perfect for any meal.
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 12 mins
- Total Time: 32 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Salad
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Ingredients
Scale
- 200 g red lentils
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cucumber, deseeded and diced
- 150 g feta, crumbled
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- 1 bunch parsley, chopped
- 1 bunch mint, chopped
- 1 handful pomegranate seeds (optional)
- 4 tbsp olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- 1 tsp sweet paprika
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse the red lentils thoroughly in a sieve with cold water to remove starch and improve texture (about 2 minutes).
- In a large pot, bring plenty of salted water to a boil. Add the lentils and cook for 10-12 minutes until al dente, ensuring they do not become too soft (10-12 minutes).
- Drain the lentils and transfer them to a bowl. Allow them to cool completely to avoid crushing the vegetables when mixing (about 10 minutes).
- Meanwhile, dice the red bell pepper and cucumber and place them in a large bowl. Finely chop the onion, parsley, and mint, and add them as well (about 5 minutes).
- In a small bowl, prepare the dressing by whisking together olive oil, lemon juice, honey or maple syrup, cumin, cinnamon, paprika, salt, and pepper (about 3 minutes).
- Add the cooled lentils to the vegetables in the large bowl. Pour the dressing over and mix well, ensuring the lentils and vegetables are evenly coated (about 2 minutes).
- Finally, fold in the crumbled feta and optional pomegranate seeds. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld (10 minutes).
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 400 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 10 g
- Protein: 15 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: To avoid mushy lentils, do not overcook them; check for doneness at 10 minutes. Always use fresh herbs for maximum flavor, and feel free to adjust the vegetable-to-lentil ratio to your liking.