Best Lentil And Piquillo Pepper Salad Recipes

FRENCH LENTIL, PROSCIUTTO, AND PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• In a medium sauté pan or frying pan, heat the 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat until shimmering. Add the prosciutto and sauté until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the shallots and sauté until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the carrots and bell pepper/capsicum and sauté for 5 minutes, or until crisp-tender. Set aside.
• In a medium saucepan, combine the lentils with at least 4 cups/960 ml salted water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook until the lentils are just tender, about 30 minutes. Drain, then transfer to a large bowl. Add the prosciutto mixture, along with the parsley and thyme; toss to combine.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the vinegar and mustard. Gradually whisk in the 1/3 cup/75 ml olive oil until emulsified. Add the salt and pepper. Toss the lentil salad with the dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning.

PIQUILLO PEPPER SALAD WITH SARDINES AND BASIL

Steps:

• With a paring knife, cut the sardine in half, top to bottom, along the backbone. Arrange the sardines in a single layer, flesh side down, in a shallow dish. Mix together vinegar, oil, orange juice and oregano; pour over the sardines. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and let cure in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. Drain the sardines from the marinade, cut into chunks, and toss gently with piquillo peppers and capers. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with basil. Serve with plenty of grilled flat bread.

LENTIL AND PIQUILLO PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse and pick through the lentils to remove stones and other detritus. Add to a large pot and cover with water; add salt and bay leaf. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat; then cook uncovered until lentils are tender but still firm, not mushy, about 20 minutes. Meanwhile, toss the cherries with the vinegar in a small mixing bowl. Set aside to soak.
• Drain cooked lentils and transfer to a large bowl; discard the bay leaf. Peel shallot and cut it in half lengthwise. Lay the halves flat on a cutting board; finely slice the halves lengthwise, stopping at the root so the shallot stays intact. Then slice crosswise to mince. Add minced shallot to the lentils, along with ¾ of the macerated cherries, reserving the vinegar. (Add remaining cherries to taste.)
• Slice open the piquillo peppers so they lie flat. Scrape and discard the seeds. Stack peppers and chop into a small dice. Add to the lentils, along with the mustard, a pinch of salt, and 3 tablespoons olive oil. Toss to combine, then adjust to taste with more cherry vinegar, the remaining oil, and salt as needed. Optional: Let rest 30 minutes before serving so the flavors can meld.
• Just before serving, finely chop the chives into ¼-inch pieces. Toss into the lentils and serve warm or at room temperature.