Lentil Salad
1 pound Lentils; frozen then steeped in boiling water (cooked weight)
½ cup Red bell pepper; small dice
1 1/2 cups Carrot; bruniosed cut
1 1/2 cups Yellow pear tomato; halved
1 cup Spinach; fresh
¼ cup Feta cheese, crumbled
2 Tablespoon Kalamata olives; thin sliced lengthwise
Follow directions on the frozen lentil package or cook 1 ¾ pounds of dry Spanish Lentils until tender and cooled to below 41 degrees or less in two hours. Stop the cooking process by spreading thin on sheet pans and into refrigerator.
Mix all the cut peppers, carrots, tomatoes, spinach and olives with the cold lentils in a large bowl. Pour over dressing and fold into ingredients until mix is very coated. The dressing needs to merry with lentil mix for a few hours before service. Mix in the feta cheese at service. If mixed in earlier it will be a greater feta flavor.
Balsamic Dressing
8 oz. Balsamic vinegar
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
2 Tablespoons Green onions; minced and/or mixed into immersion blended
1-2 cloves Garlic
2 Tablespoons Oregano; fresh chopped
1/2 Cups Honey
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
4 oz. Olive Oil
In a one-gallon container, add vinegar, mustard, chopped green onions, garlic and honey. While blending on high speed, slowly pour olive oil. Blend in bucket until emulsification occurs with immersion blender or a food processor. Add pepper and salt; stir. Can be served tossed or on the side. This flavorful, but light dressing can be stored up to 10 days in the cooler. Follow HACCAP Plan as directed by your health regulation and always labeled with name and date. Best if made and tossed with lentils and vegetable 24 hours and stored cover in a 41 degree of lower refrigeration. Save a small amount of the dressing to drizzle on salad at service.
Butter Lettuce Cup
1-2 heads Boston Bibb/Butter Lettuce for 6-8 cups