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Mediterranean Lentil and Chickpea Salad

serves 4
Prep time:30 minutes
Cook time:15 minutes
Total time:45 minutes

Ingredients

For the dressing:

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
  • 1 small shallot, minced (about 2 tablespoons)
  • 2 tablespoons drained capers, roughly chopped
  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For the salad:

  • Kosher salt
  • 1/2 cup French green lentils
  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained, rinsed, and patted dry
  • 3 Persian (mini) cucumbers, diced
  • 4 ounces feta cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 1 cup)
  • 1/3 cup Castelvetrano olives, pitted and torn
  • 1/4 cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley leaves and tender stems
  • Freshly ground black pepper

For serving:

  • 1 medium head radicchio, cored and thinly sliced
  • 1 medium romaine lettuce heart, cored and thinly sliced

Instructions

  • Make the dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, shallot, capers, mustard, salt, and several grinds of black pepper. Transfer half to a small airtight container and refrigerate for later use.
  • Cook the lentils: Bring a medium pot of salted water to a boil. Add the lentils, reduce the heat to medium-low, and simmer, uncovered, until the lentils are just tender but still have a slight bite, 12 to 15 minutes (don’t overcook — they can turn mushy quickly!). Drain and return to the pot. Season with salt to taste, then let cool.
  • Assemble the salad: Add the cooled lentils and the chickpeas to the bowl of dressing and toss to coat. Add the cucumbers, feta, olives, sunflower seeds, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and several grinds of black pepper and toss again. Season with salt to taste. If the salad seems dry, drizzle with a bit of the reserved dressing. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
  • Toss and serve: Combine the radicchio and romaine in a large airtight container. Refrigerate. When ready to eat, toss together equal amounts of the lentil salad and greens (heaping 1 cup of each). Drizzle with the reserved dressing.