Quinoa-Lentil Salad with Greek Flavors

Quinoa-Lentil Salad with Greek Flavors

Hello! This main dish salad is packed with protein, fiber, and all kinds of colors, textures and flavors. The quinoa and lentils are combined with sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, walnuts, and herbs used in Greek cuisine. You can add feta cheese or leave it vegan. It's delicious either way. Think taboulli without the wheat or summer veggies. This salad also keeps well all week, so I make a big batch on the weekend and take it to work for lunch each day. It would be perfect on a picnic. It's one of my favorite recipes and a staple for me during the Winter. While the quinoa and lentils cook (in under 30 minutes) you chop and prepare all the other ingredients. This meal is done & in your happy belly in a flash! Enjoy!

In Health & Love,
Miss Jolie Ann

Quinoa-Lentil Salad with Greek Flavors
Original Recipe by Miss Jolie Ann
makes 5-6 servings

1 cup quinoa
2 cups water
1 cup dry brown lentils
2 cups water
1/4 extra virgin olive oil
2 lemons, juiced
1 tsp sea salt
pinch of black pepper
1 tsp chopped fresh oregano
1 tsp chopped fresh dill
1 tsp chopped fresh thyme
1/4 cup packed chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
3 cloves of garlic, pressed
1/4 cup minced red onion
4 stalks celery, minced
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup julienned sundried tomatoes (packed in olive oil)
1 cup whole pitted kalamata olives
Optional: 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

1. Place the quinoa and water in a sauce pan. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let simmer for 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside. Let cool to room temperature.
2. Place lentils and water in a sauce pan. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and let cook for about 20 minutes. You want the lentils to be cooked, but not mushy. They should still be firm and hold their shape. Drain water from lentils and set aside. Let cool to room temperature.
3. In a large bowl combine the quinoa and lentils with all the remaining ingredients. Stir until well combined. Serve at room temperature.

Lentil Soup for the Crockpot

Lentil Soup for the Crockpot
Original Recipe by Miss Jolie Ann

You know I've been loving my simple crockpot soups this Spring! The ingredients are super economical, the cooking is time-saving, and the product is nutritious and delicious....

In Health,
Miss Jolie Ann

1 leek, washed & thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, peeled & minced
1 bunch celery (about 6-8 stalks), stalks minced
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp dried mustard
1/4 tsp dried tarragon
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp ground cumin
2 cups brown lentils, rinsed & drained
Sea Salt & Black Pepper

1. Over medium heat in a skillet warm the olive oil. Add the leeks, garlic & celery. Saute over medium heat for about 1o minutes until softened and slightly browned. Add spices and saute another few minutes until the mixture is very fragrant and well combined.
2. Place the cooked vegetable & spice mixture into the crockpot with the lentils. Add enough water to cover the ingredients.
3. Cook in crockpot for 6-8 hours until the lentils are completely soft. Add salt & pepper to taste. Taste and adjust seasoning. You may need to add additional amounts of each spice.

Lentil Couscous Salad with Feta & Sundried Tomatoes

Lentil-Couscous Salad with Feta & Sundried Tomatoes
Original Recipe by Miss Jolie Ann

Dear Ones,

This is an improvisational recipe I threw together from some condiments and spices that I had. I served it on a bed of sorrel, because as you know I have tons of it in my kitchen-garden. When cooking this week, I wanted EASY so I used the fully cooked lentils from Trader Joes, available in their produce cooler area. That's also why I chose couscous, because it is ready in just a few minutes. This was a great salad that kept well in the fridge, enabling me to eat leftovers for lunch for about 4 days!

In health,
Miss Jolie Ann

1 cup couscous

1 cup boiling water

2-3 cups organic lentils, cooked

2 organic celery stalks, minced

1 organic yellow or orange bell pepper, minced

1/2 cup chopped organic red onion

1/2 cup chopped organic flat-leaf/italian parsley

1/2 cup sundried tomatoes packed in olive oil

1/2 cup black olive tapenade

1/4 cup organic extra virgin olive oil

1 tsp organic dijon mustard

1 tsp organic apple cider vinegar

1 tsp organic dried fennel seeds

1 organic garlic clove, pressed

Sea Salt & Black Pepper to taste

1 cup crumbled organic feta

Several handfuls of organic sorrel leaves, washed and chopped

1. Place the couscous bowl. Pour boiling water over the couscous. Cover the bowl with a plate and let sit undisturbed for 10 minutes. Remove lid and fluff with fork. Let couscous cool.

2. Combine lentils, couscous, celery, bell pepper, onion and parsley in a large bowl. Mix well to combine.

3. In a smaller bowl combine the sundried tomatoes, tapenade, olive oil, mustard, vinegar, fennel seeds, and garlic. Mix well to form the sauce.

4. Combine the sauce in large bowl with the lentil-couscous-veggie mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste. Mix in the feta cheese until everything is well combined.

5. Serve on a bed of sorrel leaves. Yummy.