Introducing our star dish: the Baby Spinach and Lentil Salad. This Mediterranean delight is more than just a salad; it’s a festival of flavors and nutrients, making it a must-try for any vegetarian food enthusiast or anyone seeking a healthful, delicious meal.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 10 minutes.
Total Time: 15 minutes
How Many Servings?
2-4servings
Table of Contents
Discover the Mediterranean vegetarian lifestyle with our featured dish, the Baby Spinach and Lentil Salad. Whether you’re following the Mediterranean diet, seeking a nutritious and tasty plant-based meal, or simply looking for a flavorful dish, this salad is the perfect choice.
The Power of Lentils in the Mediterranean Diet
Our Mediterranean diet is rich in a variety of enticing, wholesome recipes. Yet, this Baby Spinach and Lentil Salad shines as a quintessential Mediterranean vegetarian dish for its unparalleled health benefits and gastronomical delight.
Lentils, a cornerstone in Mediterranean cuisine, are low in sodium and saturated fat. They are packed with potassium, folate, fiber, and antioxidants, offering significant health benefits such as reducing inflammation and combating chronic illnesses.
How to Prepare Lentils for Maximum Health Benefit
Preparing lentils is simple. Start with a quick wash to get rid of any dust or impurities. Then, bring three cups of water to a rolling boil for every cup of lentils. Cooking should take about 15-20 minutes, and each cup of dry lentils yields around two and a quarter cups of cooked lentils—more than enough for your salad.
The Health-Packed Ingredients of our Baby Spinach and Lentil Salad
In addition to lentils, our salad features baby spinach, a rich source of iron and folate, known for its potential to prevent cancer, lower blood sugar, and reduce inflammation. This salad also includes other power-packed ingredients like fennel seeds and cucumbers, each offering unique health benefits.
Choose Your Favorite Salad Dressing
We recommend a light Mediterranean-inspired dressing composed of olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper for this salad. However, feel free to personalize your salad with a dressing of your choice. Here are some options that can take your salad to another level:
- Greek Goddess Dressing
- Lemongrass Turmeric Dressing
- Lemon Tahini Dressing
- Zesty Delight: Avocado Lime Dressing
- Ranch Salad Dressing: The Iconic All-American Flavor
- Simple Vinaigrette Dressing
- Dijon Salad Dressing
- Mandarin Vinaigrette
Perfect Pairings: What to Serve with the Baby Spinach and Lentil Salad
This salad is an excellent stand-alone dish, but if you’re looking for something extra, it pairs beautifully with various protein sources. Complement this Mediterranean delight with Easy lamb chop, oven-baked chicken breast, kofta kebab, or herbed panko halibut for a well-rounded meal.
Preparation
Add Fresh Herbs: Add your selection of fresh herbs to the salad mixture.
Serve and Enjoy: Serve your Baby Spinach and Lentil Salad immediately for the best taste, and enjoy your nutritious and delicious Mediterranean meal!
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Baby Spinach and Lentil Salad is a testament to the power of plant-based Mediterranean cuisine. With its balance of fresh baby spinach, ripe avocados, crunchy cucumbers, and protein-rich lentils, all dressed in a zesty lemon-garlic dressing, this salad promises a culinary experience that’s as satisfying as it is nutritious.
Type of Cuisine:
Mediterranean
Prep Time: 10 minutes.
Total Time: 15 minutes
How Many Servings?
2-4servings
Ingredients:
Adjust Servings
| 1 ½ cups cooked brown lentils | |
| 2 cups baby spinach (about 3.5 oz) | |
| 1 avocado (chopped) | |
| ½ fennel (chopped) | |
| ½ English cucumber (chopped) | |
| 2 springs green onion (chopped) | |
| 1 cup fresh herbs chopped (I use mint, Italian parsley, and dill) | |
| 1 clove of garlic (minced) | |
| 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil | |
| ½ lemon juice | |
| ½ teaspoon cumin | |
| Salt and pepper to taste |
Preparation
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
Storing and Enjoying Leftovers:
Rana’s Notes!
Nutrition Information
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.
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