Tangy Lentils and Quinoa
Comfort food. It means different things to different people. For some it’s pizza, or a fried chicken, for others it’s spaghetti and meatballs or meatloaf and mashed potatoes. A strong case can be made for mac-and-cheese or a toasty grilled cheese sandwich with a cup of tomato soup. If it were my last day, any one of those would be a suitable meal for me.
Unfortunately, comfort food and skinny jeans are rarely uttered in the same sentence.
That was my mindset last week. I wanted something warm and comforting for dinner, but I didn’t want the guilt associated with any of those indulgences.
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Scott and I are trying to rectify a laissez-faire, I’ll-eat-what-I-want-to-eat, attitude which I’m sure everyone succumbs to from time to time.
In the pantry were French green lentils (aka Du Puy lentils) and quinoa — two starchy ingredients that combined would lend that comfort food mouth-feel. (I believe comfort food is all about mouth-feel).
The key is not to overcook the beans or quinoa. The lentils should be tender, but hold their shape. The quinoa should expose the spiralized germ, while still having texture. Easy enough to accomplish both of those things.
When the lentils and quinoa are cooked, remove the lids on the pots, so the steam evaporates. Letting them cool like this, dries them out a bit and makes them easier to toss together without being goopy.
Fresh chopped plum tomato and parsley add flavor and brightness. A shallot vinaigrette with a liberal dose of dijon mustard adds just the right tang.
For an extra creamy, salty kick you can sprinkle individual servings with goat cheese or feta crumbles — which I would have done here, if I’d had them on hand. (And I was just at the store, too. Grumble).
Despite that, Scott requested the leftovers for his lunch the next day. That counts as success in my world!
More whole grain salads you’ll love:
- Mediterranean Chicken Kale Quinoa Salad
- Italian Bean Salad with Farro & Mozzarella
- Mediterranean Khorasan Wheat Salad
- Pearl Barley and Kale Salad
- Mediterranean Chickpea Millet Salad
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Tangy Lentils and Quinoa
INGREDIENTS:
For the Lentils
- 1 cup homemade vegetable broth
- ½ cup water
- ¼ teaspoon ground bay leaves
- 1 whole bay leaf
- 3-4 whole stems of thyme tied in kitchen string
- ½ cup de puy french lentils
For the Quinoa
- 1 large stalk celery diced
- 2 medium carrots peeled, diced
- ½ medium onion diced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¾ cup quinoa
- 1½ cups water
- 1 large ripe plum tomato or half a beefsteak tomato seeded and diced
- ½ cup parsley chopped
For shallot vinaigrette
- 2 medium shallots finely diced
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
DIRECTIONS:
- In a small saucepan, bring vegetable stock, water, ground bay leaves, whole bay leaf and bunch of time to a boil. Add lentils, cover and simmer about 25-30 minutes – until lentils are tender, but not mushy. Remove from heat and take the lid off the pot so the lentils can cool.
- Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add celery, carrots and onion, and cook until vegetables are slightly softened, about 4-5 minutes. Add quinoa and water and bring to a boil. Cover pot with a lid and reduce heat to low. Simmer for 15 minutes until quinoa is tender and has given off its little spiral germ. Remove from heat and take the lid off the pot so quinoa can cool.
- While quinoa and lentils cool, make the vinaigrette. In a small bowl, whisk all the ingredients for the vinaigrette until mixture is emulsified.
- In a large bowl combine lentils, quinoa, chopped tomato, chopped parsley and gently toss to combine. Add 3 tablespoons of the vinaigrette and toss. Taste for seasoning and moisture. If it needs more dressing add it 1-2 tablespoons at a time, tasting after each addition.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. (Optional – you can sprinkle on some feta cheese or crumbled chevre if desired.)
NOTES:
NUTRITION:
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Looks fantastic
This sounds so good… Do you serve this alone, as a side, or with sides? Would love suggestions for how to incorporate this into a full meal 🙂
This dish works equally well as a side dish to roast or grilled chicken, pork or lamb or as a vegetarian main with a green salad. We also like it when we’re having a picnic or cookout because it travels well.
I just made thus, but haven’t eaten it yet. Should I add the remaining liquid in the lentils to the final product?
One or two tablespoons of liquid would be fine, but don’t put too much — You also have the dressing and you don’t want it to be soupy.
Love this salad dish. I will make this next week for a Meatless Monday dinner.
I do have a question for you. How much measures a serving, is it one cup?
Thank You,
Karen
Karenpelli@aol.com
A serving is about 3/4 cup.
I love this healthy and mouth-watering recipe, Lisa! I am so hungry after seeing this recipe!
I too, judge the success of a new recipe based on how many times my husband requests the leftovers to be packed for lunch!!! <3 This is a brilliant meal!
This look so refreshing and healthy. I love the combination of flavours, it sounds delicious 🙂
I love all of the colors and textures of this recipe! I am definitely going to have to give this one a try. I love how healthy it is and that it has a good amount of protein to keep me satisfied. I can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing!
I love discovering delicious recipes for comfort food that does go along with skinny jeans – and this is definitely one of them! Your Tangy Lentils and Quinoa is so wholesome but the flavours you have used are wonderful. Looking forward to giving this recipe a try!
Mmm who said comfort food can’t be healthy? This looks lovely.