Quinoa, Lentil Sprout and Arugula Salad

Quinoa, Lentil Sprout and Arugula Salad
Andrew Scrivani for The New York Times
Total Time
5 minutes
Rating
4(78)
Comments
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Use lentil or sunflower sprouts, which have a peppery flavor, in this well-textured salad. These sprouts are available in many farmers’ markets but very easy to make yourself (see below). I prefer black or red quinoa in this dish because I like the texture, but regular quinoa works as well.

Featured in: Proper Uses for Quinoa

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Ingredients

Yield:Serves four to six
  • ¾cup cooked quinoa, preferably the red or black variety
  • 1cup sprouted lentils or sunflower seeds
  • 3ounces wild arugula or baby arugula (4 cups tightly packed)
  • ¼red bell pepper, sliced thin
  • ¼cup broken walnuts (¾ ounce)
  • ¼cup crumbled feta (1 ounce)
  • 2 to 3tablespoons chopped fresh herbs, like dill, tarragon, chives and parsley
  • For the Dressing

    • 1tablespoon fresh lemon juice
    • 1tablespoon sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
    • Salt
    • freshly ground pepper
    • ½teaspoon Dijon mustard
    • 1small garlic clove, puréed with a pinch of salt
    • 6tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, or use half olive oil and half grapeseed oil
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (6 servings)

204 calories; 18 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 12 grams polyunsaturated fat; 10 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram dietary fiber; 1 gram sugars; 4 grams protein; 191 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Combine all of the salad ingredients in a large bowl.

  2. Step 2

    Whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper, mustard and garlic. Whisk in the oil. Toss with the salad, and serve.

Tips
  • To make sprouts: Place 2 to 3 tablespoons lentils or sunflower seeds in a wide-mouthed jar and cover with water. Soak overnight. Place a piece of cheesecloth over the top of the jar, and secure with a rubber band. Drain the lentils and shake them so that they are not in a big pile, but some are adhering to the sides of the jar. Place the jar in a dark place, like underneath the kitchen sink. Water and drain twice a day for two to three days until the lentils have sprouts about ½ to ¾ inch long. Leave in a sunny place for an hour or two, then refrigerate.
  • Advance preparation: Cooked quinoa will keep for four days in the refrigerator. The dressing can be made several hours ahead of serving.

Ratings

4 out of 5
78 user ratings
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I added the dressing before serving as written (I always follow a recipe exactly for the first time) and I think letting it sit for a day without the arugula, and then adding the arugula right before serving, would be optimal. After a day in the fridge it was a lot more flavorful.

Adapted this for what I had on hand. Used chickpeas instead of lentils, no nuts or feta, chicken and tomato. Pretty good, quick and healthy dinner. How come my quinoa is always mushy?

Didn't seem to have enough dressing to me. Not sure - perhaps more lemon juice? Didn't have red pepper so didn't add and used sunflower seeds in place of lentils but everything else followed to the letter. Just not overly impactful. Perhaps it needs to sit for a bit for the flavors to blend?

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