Delve into a culinary journey with our black rice and lentil salad recipe, a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This vegetarian delight combines the nutty goodness of black rice with the earthy softness of lentils, all tossed in a zesty dressing. Served on a bed of fresh and vibrant spinach, this salad is a nutritious and satisfying meal, perfect for a light lunch or a refreshing dinner.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
BLACK RICE AND LENTIL SALAD ON SPINACH
Black rice is inky, as black as squid ink, and glistens against a bed of spinach. The pigments provide anthocyanins, flavonoids that are high in antioxidants. I was inspired to cook the rice with lentils by a pilaf that I ate recently at the "Healthy Kitchens, Healthy Lives" conference at the Culinary Institute of America in Napa Valley. In addition to the familiar green or black lentils, I've thrown in uncooked split red lentils, which contribute their own soft salmon color and crunch; they are soaked for a few hours to soften them, and that's all they need. Prepare the ingredients for the salad while the rice and lentils are cooking.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories lunch, salads and dressings, appetizer, main course
Time 1h
Yield Serves 6
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Rinse rice and green or black lentils and combine in a medium saucepan with 2 3/4 cups water or enough to cover by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, add salt to taste (I use about 1 teaspoon), reduce heat and simmer 30 to 35 minutes, until rice and lentils are tender but not mushy. Place a strainer over a bowl and drain if there is still liquid in the pan (I like to add the broth to soups; you could also add some to the salad). Return lentils and rice to the saucepan and place a dishtowel across top of the pan. Return lid and let sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
- Combine 3 tablespoons of the olive oil and garlic in a small frying pan or saucepan over medium heat. When garlic begins to sizzle, add spices. Stir together for about 30 seconds or until very fragrant, then remove from the heat and add to rice and lentils. Add chopped herbs, soaked red lentils, and 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice. Taste and adjust salt.
- Whisk together remaining lemon juice and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste and toss with the spinach. Line a platter or wide bowl with the spinach, top with the rice and lentils, garnish with sliced radishes, and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 329, UnsaturatedFat 11 grams, Carbohydrate 44 grams, Fat 14 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 585 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram
BLACK RICE AND RED LENTIL SALAD
This colorful mixture is hard to resist, with its contrasting chewy and crunchy textures and the nutty Asian dressing. Black rice, high in antioxidant-rich anthocyanins, is now a staple in my pantry.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories salads and dressings
Time 1h15m
Yield 3 to 4 generous servings.
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Combine the rice, water and salt to taste in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat and simmer 40 to 50 minutes, until all of the liquid in the pan has been absorbed by the rice. Remove from the heat. Remove the lid, place a clean dish towel over the pan and return the lid. Let sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, if using frozen edamame, cook it, following the directions on the package.
- In a medium bowl, toss together the rice, edamame, lentils, walnuts and cilantro. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the rice vinegar, lime juice, ginger, soy sauce, cayenne, sesame or walnut oil and grapeseed oil. Toss with the salad. Refrigerate in a bowl or in containers until ready to take to work or eat.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 291, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 35 grams, Fat 13 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 368 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram
WILD RICE AND LENTIL SALAD
This healthy, protein-packed salad is a perfect main dish for the vegetarians who grace your holiday table-or as a side in smaller portions. My family loves it for the flavors, and my friends love it because I offer them a healthy alternative to meat. -Mary Leverette, Columbia, South Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 35m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Prepare rice according to package directions. Drain; rinse with cold water. Place lentils in a small saucepan. Add water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until tender, 20-25 minutes. Drain; rinse with cold water., In a small bowl, whisk oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic and salt until blended. In a large bowl, combine rice, lentils, tomatoes and green onions; drizzle with dressing. Just before serving, stir in arugula and cheese.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 461 calories, Fat 19g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 15mg cholesterol, Sodium 283mg sodium, Carbohydrate 51g carbohydrate (4g sugars, Fiber 18g fiber), Protein 21g protein.
SPINACH RICE SALAD
Here's a salad that goes well with many menus. It has a hint of Asian flavor, with spinach and green onions for color and bacon for a bit of crunch.
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Lunch
Time 10m
Yield 6-8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large bowl, combine the salad dressing, soy sauce and sugar. Stir in the rice, celery and onions. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. , Just before serving, stir in spinach and bacon.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 136 calories, Fat 8g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 3mg cholesterol, Sodium 443mg sodium, Carbohydrate 13g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
RICE, LENTIL, AND SPINACH PILAF
A Dean Ornish recipe. Colorful, vegan, very complete nutritionally, and zero cholesterol. For more color and variety, you can add cubed cooked butternut squash or carrots. May be used as a main dish or side dish; serving amount depends upon how it is used.
Provided by winkki
Categories Spinach
Time 1h
Yield 4-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place lentils in saucepan and cover with cold water.
- Bring to boil, reduce heat and cover.
- Simmer for 25 to 40 minutes, until tender but not mushy; drain and set aside.
- Meanwhile, bring the rice and 2 cups of water to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer rice about 20 minutes, covered, until all liquid is absorbed; set aside.
- Bring the vegetable stock to a boil in a saucepan.
- Add onions and simmer until tender and translucent, approx 10 minutes.
- Add the garlic, celery, cumin and cinnamon and simmer for 5 minutes longer.
- Add the lentils and lemon zest (and tomatoes, if desired); heat through.
- Add the greens; cook and stir until tender.
- Fold the lentil and greens mixture into the rice.
- Season with salt and pepper.
- Note: You may make this ahead of time and place in a baking pan, cover with foil, and warm in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 298.4, Fat 2.1, SaturatedFat 0.4, Sodium 66.5, Carbohydrate 59.2, Fiber 11.3, Sugar 4.1, Protein 11.8
LENTIL AND SPINACH SALAD WITH ONION, CUMIN AND GARLIC
A wonderfully earthy salad that is great for a picnic or with BBQd meats, that improves with standing and that is better served at room temperature rather than chilled. I am posting this Middle Eastern-style salad for the 2005 Zaar World Tour. I found it in English chef Brian Glover's fabulous book 'The Onion Cookbook': a real culinary haven for lovers of onions, garlic, leeks, spring onions, shallots and chives.
Provided by bluemoon downunder
Categories Spinach
Time 55m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Rinse the lentils and place them in a large saucepan and add plenty of water to cover; tie the bay leaf, celery and thyme into a bundle and add to the pan, then bring to the boil; reduce the heat so that the water boils steadily; cook the lentils for 30-40 minutes or until they are just tender. DO NOT ADD SALT at this stage, as it toughens the lentils.
- Meanwhile, to make the dessing, mix the oil, mustard, 3 teaspoons vinegar, garlic and lemon rind, and season to taste with pepper and salt.
- Thoroughly drain the lentils and transfer them to a bowl, add most of the dressing and toss until all the ingredients are well-combined, then set aside, stirring occasionally.
- Heat the oil in a deep pan and cook the onions or shallots over a low heat for 4-5 minutes, until they are beginning to soften. Add the cumin and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the spinach and season to taste, cover and cook for 2 minutes; stir, then cook again briefly until wilted.
- Stir the spinach into the lentils and leave the salad to cool. Bring back to room temperature if necessary. Stir in the remaining dressing and chopped parsley, adjust the seasoning, adding extra wine vinegar if necessary.
- Transfer the salad to a serving platter and scatter over some parsley sprigs.
- Chef's Note: Puy lentils are named after a town in France. They are considered to have the best and most distinctive flavour and they keep both their shape and colour well when cooked, making them ideal for salads.
Tips:
- Select the right lentils: For this salad, use small, firm lentils like black beluga lentils or French lentils. They hold their shape well and won't get mushy when cooked.
- Cook the lentils properly: Lentils should be cooked until tender but still have a slight bite. Overcooking can make them mushy, so watch them carefully.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients: The fresher the ingredients, the better the salad will taste. Use ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tender spinach.
- Don't skimp on the dressing: The dressing is what brings all the flavors together, so don't be afraid to use a generous amount. You can adjust the amount of dressing to your own taste.
- Let the salad marinate: Letting the salad marinate for at least 30 minutes before serving allows the flavors to meld and develop. This will make the salad even more delicious.
Conclusion:
Black rice and lentil salad is a healthy and flavorful dish that can be enjoyed for lunch, dinner, or even as a side dish. It's packed with protein, fiber, and vitamins, and the tangy dressing adds a nice finishing touch. With its vibrant colors and delicious taste, this salad is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. So next time you're looking for a healthy and easy meal, give this black rice and lentil salad a try!
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