Servings: 4 to 6
Equipment
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 15 oz can brown lentils drained and rinsed (you can also cook brown lentils at home and use in this recipe)
- 2 large carrots peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- ½ small red onion chopped
- ¼ cup raisins
- ¼ cup pistachio chopped
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- ¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- ¼ teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- In a bowl, toss the carrot pieces with one tablespoon of olive oil until they are evenly coated. Season the carrots with ¼ teaspoon ground cumin and salt and pepper to taste.
- Place the carrots in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded. Air fry the carrots at 375°F for about 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through the cooking time until the carrots are tender and slightly caramelized. Once done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the dressing: olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the canned lentils (drained and rinsed), roasted carrots, chopped cilantro, red onion, raisins, and chopped pistachios.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
- Serve the salad at room temperature or chilled.
Notes
- Rinse canned lentils thoroughly to remove any excess starch. If cooking your own lentils, ensure they are cooked al dente, with a slight bite remaining.
- When roasting carrots, cut them into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
- Allow the assembled salad to rest for at least 15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and develop further.
- Don't overdress the salad. Start with a light amount of dressing and toss gently to coat all ingredients evenly. You can always add more if needed.
Nutrition
Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 11g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Sodium: 30mg | Potassium: 328mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 6213IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 1mg
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