Explore the world of Lebanese lentil salads for a delightful alternative to your regular salad choices. These salads offer a blend of unique flavors that you won't forget in a hurry.
Main Recipe: Lebanese Tabbouleh
Get started with this basic recipe. Gather your ingredients:
- 400g lentils
- 80g bulgur
- 7 tomatoes
- 1 red onion
- 3 bouquets of parsley
- 2 bouquets of mint
- 1 pomegranate (optional)
- 5 tablespoons of olive oil
- 2 lemons
- 3 teaspoons of four spices
- Salt and pepper
Begin by cooking and cooling the lentils and bulgur. Create a dressing by blending the olive oil, spices, lemon zest, and juice. Dice the tomatoes and chop the onion, parsley, and mint finely. Add in the pomegranate seeds for an extra burst of flavor. Combine all these ingredients in a salad bowl and let it sit in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours before serving.
Oriental Lentil Salad Recipe
For a touch of the exotic, try this variation. You will need:
- 400g lentils
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 2 squeezed lemons + 2 slices of lemon
- 1 large red onion
- 2 red peppers
- 150g of rehydrated raisins
- 1 bouquet of fresh coriander
- 5 tablespoons of olive oil
- 4 tablespoons of sunflower seeds
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- Salt and pepper
Cook the lentils with the garlic, lemon slices, and cumin. Once cooked, drain the lentils and mix them with a dressing prepared from lemon juice, salt, pepper, olive oil, and chopped coriander. Garnish the salad with crumbled onions, cut peppers, and sunflower seeds before serving.
Summer Taste Lentil Salad Recipe
For a refreshing summer dish, gather these ingredients:
- 700g peeled eggplants
- 400g lentils
- 1 large finely chopped onion
- 300g diced tomatoes
- 1 bunch of chopped parsley
- 2 diced green peppers
- 1 tablespoon of pomegranate molasses
- 3 tablespoons of lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons of olive oil
- Salt
Cut the eggplants into small pieces, salt them, and let them drain. Bake the eggplants until they are tender. Boil the lentils until tender. Mix the cooled lentils with the other ingredients. Prepare a dressing using pomegranate molasses, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt. Pour this dressing over the mixture, mix, and serve.
Optional Ideas for Lebanese Lentil Salad
You can modify these recipes according to your preferences. Here are some ideas:
- Add cheese to enhance the flavor
- Include your favorite vegetables
- Try the classic Tabbouleh recipe
- Add avocado and raspberries for a twist
- Use leafy green vegetables
- Boost the flavor with feta and pomegranate seeds
- Add chickpeas for a heartier dish
- Top off with grilled cheese