Warm Lentil Salad Speckled w/ Kale and Pomegranate Seed

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 30 minutes

Yields: 5 people

Ingredients: 

  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1-¼ cup small green lentils (8 oz.), rinsed
  • ½ onion, diced
  • 1 carrot, diced
  • 3 cloves of garlic, diced
  • 1 sprig of thyme
  • 1 sprig of parsley
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 shallots, minced
  • 4 tablespoons of sherry vinegar
  • 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 pomegranate, seeded
  • 6-8 dinosaur kale leaves, sliced into thin ribbons (as thinas possible!)
  • 1 small bunch of chives or a couple of scallions, thinly sliced
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions: 

  1. Lightly coat the bottom of a medium sauce pan with extra virgin olive oil and heat over medium high flame.
  2. Add onion, carrot, garlic, and sauté about 3 minutes or until fragrant.
  3. Add lentils, herbs and a fat pinch of salt and cover with water. Simmer about 25 minutes or until lentils are done. Discard the herbs and drain any excess water if there is any.
  4. In a separate bowl, combine shallots, vinegar, and oil and season with salt and pepper.  Whisk all ingredients together and then pour the dressing over the warm lentils.
  5. Stir in kale ribbons and pomegranate seeds.
  6. Dress the warm lentils and taste for seasoning.
  7. Serve at room temperature and garnish with chives!

Credit: From IIN graduate: Dani Spies, class of 2007