Mediterranean Lentil Salad
Vine-ripe tomatoes and fresh basil are key to making this salad amazing. It’s one of my husbands favorite summer meals. This recipe has been revised from my original recipe for “Lentil Salad” in my cookbook Whole Food Goodness.
1 cup lentils rinsed
2 1/4 cups water
2 cloves garlic minced
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 cucumber cut in small pieces
2-3 medium tomatoes coarsely chopped
4 oz. chopped spinach
1/2 cup black olives, drained, rinsed and chopped
1/2 cup thinly slice red onion
1 cup fresh chopped basil
3 T balsamic vinegar
Fresh ground black pepper
Salt to taste
Bring water to boil. Add lentils, lower heat, and simmer for 30 minutes, until tender. Add more water if needed. Transfer to salad bowl to cool. When cool, add remaining ingredients and mix well.