Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Mediterranean Lentil Salad




We haven't really had spring this year in Provence - a very mild winter and then all of a sudden it was summer, glorious summer! So once again we live on the patio and eat lots of fruits and salads. This recipe was very generously given to me by our friends Olli and Sabine who sadly live in Vaison only part time - sadly, because they are great cooks and I love to share recipes with them!

For 4 persons you need:
250 g Puy lentils
100 g sundried tomatoes
1 small zucchini
2 spring onions
2 cloves fresh garlic
a piece of chorizo sausage - about 5 cm long
3 tbsp Balsamic vinegar
7 tbsp olive oil
Pepper fresh from the mill, salt to taste
Cook the lentils in fresh water (no salt added!) until al dente, drain and let cool.
Now starts the boring part: cut up all ingredients (except for the lentils, of course) into really small, even cubes, the smaller the better.
Very quickly sautée the zucchini cubes in some oilive oil, drain and let cool.  In a hot but dry pan, quickly fry the chorizo cubes to release some of the fat - drain the cubes, discard the fat.
Toss together all ingredients, add the balsamic vinegar and the best olive oil you can find. Pepper and salt to taste. Cover with plastic wrap and leave for at least a few hours for the flavors to mingle and develop. Garnish with a few basil leaves and serve with crusty bread. Don't forget a nice glass of red (or two....)!

8 comments:

  1. This looks like a perfect summer salad. Your picture is outstanding!

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  2. mmmm.. love lentils. looks great

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  3. Can't wait to try this one! Still love reading your posts and remembering our trip to Provence with great fondness! Stacey Webb, Florida

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  4. Lovely recipe! Very refreshing to see a lentil recipe other than the ones we make at home with spices, nice to have a variety and looks like a lovely one for summer - many thanks for sharing!
    Ozlem

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  5. Yes, it is a v different lentil salad with unusual ingredients. Will try this one... thanks!

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  6. Thanks for posting your recipe Barbara. I will definitely try it out. I saw that Keith over at A Taste of Garlic gave you one of his weekly awards for this recipe.

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  7. Lentils are one of my favorite dishes! I try to stock up on them when in France and pack as many as I can in my suitcase.

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  8. I popped over for a visit from Susan's blog. I've never tried sun-dried tomatoes or zucchini in lentil salad. I bet they would be great. Thanks for the idea. Looks like you guys had a great get-together.
    Sam

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