I discovered this recipe on a blog featuring South Beach diet phase one recipes. Though I’m not on the South Beach diet I do like the fact that it is made with beans and lentils. Both which contain healthy complex carbs. It looked like it would be a good recipe to use as a side dish instead of rice, potatoes or pasta.

Chickpea and Lentil Salad

1 – 15 ounce can of chickpeas, drainded and rinsed

1 cup french lentils

1 small red onion, finely diced

1 sweet red peper, seeded and chopped

1 zucchini, diced

1 handful fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips

salt and black pepper

recipe for sun dried tomato dressing (recipe follows)

In a sauce pan bring the lentils and 4 cups of water to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer about 15 minutes. Add the chopped zucchini and continue cooking another 5 to 10 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Drain and add to a large bowl.

If you previously made your own chickpeas in the crockpot  then add 1 2/3 to 1 3/4 cups of cooked chickpeas to the bowl. If your using canned beans then drain the liquid, rinse and add to the bowl.

Add the red onion, sweet red pepper and the basil to the bowl.

Mix well. Add salt and pepper to taste. Add the Sun Dried Tomato Dressing and mix well. Add additional salt and black pepper if desired. Chill before serving.

Sun Dried Tomato Dressing

1/2 cup sun dried tomatoes in olive oil

1 clove of garlic, minced

1/3 cup balsamic vinegar

1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1/2 cup of grated parmesan cheese

In a good processor combine the sun dried tomatoes, garlic, vinegar, olive oil and cheese. Puree until combined. Add to the Chickpea and Lentil Salad.

I had this salad for supper along with some steak tips. Tomorrow I’m going to try adding some salmon to the mix.  When I make this recipe again I think that perhaps I will replace the parmesan cheese with feta cheese. I’ll also add some olives to the salad as well.

I’m submitting this post to Real Food Wednesdays  and Fight Back Friday. Stop by and check out the other great posts!

Print PDF