Description
A flavorful and nutritious vegetarian salad combining lentils, fresh vegetables, and a zesty dressing.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 1/2 cups brown lentils
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes
- 1 can (6 oz.) black olives
- 1/2 cup sliced green onions
- 1 avocado, diced (or more)
- 2 T fresh-squeezed lime juice
- 6 cups chopped Romaine or Iceberg lettuce
- 2 T olive oil
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
- 1 can (4 oz.) diced green chiles with juice
- 1 T ground cumin
- 1 T Kalyn’s Taco Seasoning
- 2 T Green Tabasco Sauce
- 1/2 cup vegetable stock
- Ranch Dressing (optional)
- grated Mexican Blend cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Put lentils, 6 cups water, and a little salt in a saucepan and bring to a boil.
- When the water boils, reduce to a low simmer and cook until the lentils are tender but not falling apart, about 30 minutes. Drain lentils well.
- Heat the oil in a large frying pan, add the chopped red onion and saute for a few minutes, until the onion starts to soften.
- Add the can of diced green chiles with juice, ground cumin, and Kalyn’s Taco Seasoning and saute about 2 minutes more.
- Add the lentils, Green Tabasco Sauce, and stock or water and simmer until the liquid has all evaporated (about 10 minutes).
- Turn off the heat and let the lentils partly cool while you prep the other ingredients.
- While the lentils are cooling, drain and slice the olives, cut tomatoes in half and slice the green onions.
- Dice the avocado into smallish pieces and toss with the lime juice.
- Coarsely chop the lettuce and wash/spin dry.
- To assemble the salad, place the lettuce in a very large bowl and add the partly cooled lentils on top.
- Toss well so the spicy taco flavoring coats the lettuce pieces.
- Add sliced olives, tomatoes, and sliced green onions and toss again.
- Serve right away with diced avocados and optional toppings at the table.
Notes
- For a spicier dish, you may substitute jalapenos for the green chiles.
- Kalyn’s Taco Seasoning can be substituted with your favorite taco seasoning blend.
- Adjust the amount of Green Tabasco Sauce to your taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 40 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cup
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 0mg