Lentil, Bean and Kale Salad

This was the first recipe I made with green lentils and I remember feeling impressed with how they maintained their shape. I usually use cannelini beans. I only use 1/4 teaspoon of chili powder.

Ingredients

100g/3½oz dried brown, green or red lentils (or use tinned)
100g/3½oz dried black-eyed or haricot beans (or cannelini)
8 sun-dried tomatoes, roughly chopped
handful green or black olives from a jar, roughly chopped
handful fresh flatleaf parsley, torn (or other soft herb, such as mint)
80g/3oz kale, stalks removed and chopped (or other leafy greens, such as spinach or spring greens)

For the dressing:

1 large garlic clove, crushed or grated
1 fresh red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped (or 1 tsp chilli powder)
130ml/4½fl oz olive oil
1 lemon, zest and juice

Instructions

Soak the lentils and beans overnight, or for at least 8 hours. Rinse the lentils and beans and put into a saucepan of cold water. Bring to the boil and cook for 10 minutes, removing any scum that comes to the surface. Reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, or until tender. Drain and rinse. (Skip this step if using tinned lentils, just warm them through in a saucepan with a splash of water.)

To make the dressing, put all the ingredients into a lidded jar and shake vigorously until combined. Taste and adjust with more lemon, if needed. Put into a saucepan and warm over a low heat.

Toss the beans and lentils with the remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle over the dressing to taste and serve.

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