In our hectic life, it’s not always easy to find time to cook elaborate dishes. But that doesn’t mean you have to necessarily resort to industrial meals or fast food. With a little ingenuity, you can make a delicious recipe with lentils and warm goat cheese, all in just 15 minutes!
Cook Lentils Quickly
To save time, you can prepare your lentils (approx. 200g) in advance using a quick pressure cooker method (5 minutes) or by finishing them in the microwave if your schedule doesn’t allow for a longer cooking time. You will thus have green lentils ready to be integrated into your salad.
Opt for canned lentils for more convenience
Another option to get lentils quickly is to buy them in cans. This way, they will already be cooked, seasoned and ready to be incorporated into your salad. You will just need to rinse and drain them before using them.
Prepare the dressing for your lentil salad
Once your lentils are ready, remember to prepare a delicious vinaigrette that will enhance the flavors of this salad. To do this, mix in a bowl 3 tablespoons of olive oil, 1 tablespoon of balsamic vinegar, 1 teaspoon of mustard, and salt and pepper to taste.
Enhancing the salad with crunchy vegetables
To enhance your salad, choose fresh, crunchy vegetables that will provide texture and contrast. A handful of baby spinach leaves, a few sliced radishes and cucumber strips will pair perfectly with the lentils.
The trick for an even more delicious dish: nuts
To add even more flavor to your salad, add some crushed walnuts. Their slightly sweet taste and crunchiness will be the ideal complement to your lentils and green vegetables.
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Warm goat cheese to enhance the lentil salad
A beautiful lentil salad would not be complete without a star ingredient: the hot goat cheese. You just have to slice a Chavignol crottin into rounds and place them on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake for 5 minutes at 200°C until the cheese begins to brown.
Alternatives for warm goat cheese
You don’t like goat cheese? Don’t hesitate to choose another indulgent and tasty cheese that melts well, like camembert, brie or even mozzarella. The goal is to create a beautiful harmony between fresh vegetables, tender lentils and melting cheese.
Mix the ingredients to get a harmonious lentil salad
In a large bowl, gently mix the lentils, thinly sliced green vegetables, and the dressing you prepared earlier. Then add the crushed walnuts and the warm goat cheese fresh out of the oven. Serve this warm salad immediately, composed of intense flavors from the pairing of cheese and lentils.
With this quick and easy recipe, you benefit from a healthy meal, rich in plant proteins and low in fat. You can adapt it according to your tastes by adding other ingredients, such as dried fruit, sun-dried tomatoes or even raw ham if you want an additional source of animal protein. Whatever the case, this warm lentil and goat cheese salad in 15 minutes will be the ideal ally for your express and gourmet lunches.