Cold Greek Lentil Salad/Fakes Salata
Till the time I didn’t start cooking I had no idea how lentils can be used except for making Dals, Dosas, Idlis, Vadas and Payasams. And whenever I talked of Lentils the ubiquitous yellow Pigeon peas or Tuvar Dal which is a regular in every Indian Kitchen would come to my mind. As I grew in the cooking arena I realised how prominently lentils show up in various Global cuisines.
The power packed Lentils are a rich source of lean protein dietary fibres, Iron and Folate. Adding lentils to our diet has multiple health benefits, from helping us to control our weight to promoting heart health, control diabetes, prevent birth defects Etc. They are low in calories and contain absolutely no fat! So make sure this amazing superfood is a part of your shopping basket always.
This Greek lentil salad or Fakes Salata as known in Greek is a popular dish in Greece ,a cold hearty salad devoured during spring and summer time and they have different variations of this exquisite dish. This delicious salad is a healthy combo of boiled brown lentils with garlic, colourful fresh veggies tossed in a red wine vinaigrette dressing and finally a sprinkle of fresh herbs like mint and dill with the salty, creamy, crumbled Feta cheese which makes the salad lustier.
If you have been avoiding the lentils because of the soaring temperatures, do try this cold,refreshing and filling salad and revel in its taste. Dole it out for lunches throughout the week or as a healthy contribution for a summer potluck. This goes to the 38th Foodie Monday Bloghop and the theme is …yes !you guessed it right Dal delights.
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This delicious salad is a healthy combo of boiled brown lentils with garlic, colourful fresh veggies tossed in a red wine vinaigrette dressing and finally a sprinkle of fresh herbs like mint and dill with the salty, creamy, crumbled Feta cheese which makes the salad lustier.
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- 1/2 Cup Lentils Masoor Dal Brown or whole
- 1 Bay leaf
- 2 cloves Garlic ,crushed
- 1 Cucumber small ,sliced
- 1 onion small ,sliced
- 6 - 7 Cherry tomatoes ,halved
- 1/2 bell pepper Red and yellow ,sliced
- 5 kalamata olives ,pitted and sliced
- 2 tablespoons feta cheese crumbled
- A few sprigs mint of chopped
- A handful parsley dill or ,chopped
- to taste Salt
- Dressing for the salad
- 2 tbsps extra virgin olive oil Extra
- 1 tbsp Red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp mustard whole grain
- 1 clove garlic , minced
- A pinch paprika of
- to taste Salt pepper and
- Wash the lentils and soak it in water for 15 minutes.Keep it aside and slice the veggies as required.
- Boil the lentils with garlic, bay leaf and salt to taste in a saucepan for nearly 15 minutes in a gentle simmer.Keep on checking as the lentils should be cooked but not mushy and should retain a slight tooth for the salad.
- In the meantime prepare the vinaigrette dressing for the salad, add all the ingredients for dressing in a bottle, shake vigorously till incorporated well and keep it in the fridge.
- When the lentils are cooked drain them and place under running water to stop the cooking process.
- When slightly cooled add the sliced cucumber, juicy tomatoes, olives, onion, red and yellow bell peppers, a little of the chopped herbs in a large bowl and toss with the chilled vinaigrette dressing, sprinkle the creamy feta on it and chill for an hour. Add the rest of the fresh herbs before serving.
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Lovely and healthy share
Thanks dear Rupal.
Lovely salad recipe, I love feta cheese in my salad, yummy !!
Lovely salad recipe share! Cold salads being my all time favourites during the hot summer months. This Greek Fakes Salata with boiled lentils look refreshing and tempting as well!
beautiful and colourful dessert … lovely share
Perfect sumner salad and colourful share
Thank you so much Jolly,Nisa,pushpita and Shibani
Saswati, such a colourful and healthy salad. I love your idea of cooking the lentils with bay leaf and garlic to get more flavourful lentils.
Thank you Mayuri
Healthy salad
Thank you Alka Dee.
A refreshing Salad!! Lovely share.