LENTIL AND ARUGULA SALAD WITH SAFFRON AIOLI

Lentil and Arugula Salad With Saffron Aioli image

Provided by Moira Hodgson

Time 1h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

Ingredients

1 pound green lentils (du Puy)
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1 shallot, minced
1 cup champagne or white wine vinegar
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic
Coarse salt
1 egg yolk
3/4 cup light olive oil
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
Pinch of saffron
1 tablespoon warm water
2 heads of arugula

Steps:

Cook the lentils in salted water, covered, for 30 minutes or until tender. Drain and cool. Add the shallot, vinegar and olive oil and toss well. Set aside.
Make the saffron aioli. Peel the garlic cloves and mash them with half a teaspoon of salt in a mortar and pestle. Add the egg yolk and mix in thoroughly. Gradually add the olive oil little by little beating continually until you have a thick emulsion (this can also be done in a blender). Add the vinegar by the tablespoon to thin the sauce.
Soften the saffron in the warm water. Add it to the aioli and mix in with a chopstick or a small fork. Let it sit for an hour or so, refrigerated, to develop the flavor.
Thoroughly wash and dry the arugula. Arrange the leaves either on an individual plate or a large serving dish and spoon the lentils in the center. Serve with the aioli.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 519, UnsaturatedFat 29 grams, Carbohydrate 38 grams, Fat 35 grams, Fiber 6 grams, Protein 15 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 344 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams