Jan 12, 2022 | By: Tom Wild
Good Food, Good Life, 365 – Eat More Greens Lentil and Arugula Salad
Eat More Greens Lentil and Arugula Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 cup apple cider or apple juice (look for 100% apple cider or apple juice, not from concentrate and no preservatives or additives)
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup dry green lentils
- 1 large or two small bay leaves
For the salad:
- ⅓ cup chopped pistachios
- 6 cups loosely packed arugula leaves (one 5-ounce carton)
- 1 honeycrisp or pink lady apple, sliced thin
Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
Instructions:
- Cook the lentils. This can be done a couple of days in advance, if desired.
- Over medium-high heat, bring the apple cider, water, lentils, and bay leaves to a boil, cover, then reduce to a simmer.
- Simmer about 30 minutes until the lentils are cooked through.
- Drain and discard any remaining liquid and the bay leaf. Store in the refrigerator in a sealed container until ready to make the salad.
- While the lentils cook, whisk the extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, and ½ teaspoon of fine sea salt in a small bowl.
- Prepare the salad ingredients. Roughly chop the pistachios, and slice the apple.
- Allow the lentils to cool, then drain them in a colander to remove any excess liquid before adding to the salad.
- Toss the lentils, arugula and rest of the salad ingredients in a large bowl.
- Pour dressing over the salad ingredients and toss to coat.
- Serve immediately, or store in the refrigerator.
This salad is best served within the first 24 hours, but will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
Makes 8 servings.
Sue’s Tips
This is a great salad to take to potlucks or to pack for lunch to take to work. I like it best at room temperature, but straight from the fridge is good, too.
During the summer months, I like to snip some mint and basil from the garden and tear it into pieces to add to the salad. I use garden-fresh cherry or grape tomatoes instead of apple slices.
Chopped walnuts or almonds can be used instead of pistachios.