Here in Palm Springs the heat has arrived early. With this in mind, I’m always trying to come up with quick and nutritious meals without heating up the house. Here’s one I think you will like.
Thanks to Trader Joe’s, their vacuum sealed precooked lentils is a great food hack that doesn’t require any cooking and can made in a variety of ways.
Make this a part of your weekly food prep, serve at your next barbecue, or as pictured here (pan-seared salmon), with your favorite fish.
Ingredients
- 1 lb precooked lentils (I like Trader Joe’s brand vacuum sealed – see note)
- 8 oz. small grape tomatoes cut in half
- 1 small fennel bulb sliced thin
- 1 large shallot chopped
- 1/2 cup chopped dill or combination of dill and chives.
- zest of 1 medium lemon
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup of fresh lemon juice
- salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Note: Lentils will come apart easier if you heat them in their vacuum sealed package in the microwave or let them sit in hot water for about 15 minutes
- In a large mixing bowl gently crumble lentils with your hands, breaking up large clumps.
- Add remaining ingredients, gently stirring until everything is evenly distributed and no lentil clumps remain.
- Cover and and chill for at least an hour before serving.
- Give salad a quick stir and taste for seasoning, adjusting with salt and pepper if needed. Allow salad to come to room temperature before serving.
