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Warm Lentil Salad With Seared Scallops

There are many kinds of lentils, but one of the tastiest is the little green French variety, marbled like a tortoise shell, called Verte de Puy. It has a rich, nutty flavor and retains its firm texture after cooking, making it the perfect base for many other ingredients. Look for French lentils at specialty markets and gourmet grocery stores.

Type: Fish, Rice, Shellfish
Courses: Salads
Serves: 4 people

Recipe Ingredients

1 cup 237mlFrench green lentils - rinsed
1   Bay leaf
1 teaspoon 5mlDried thyme
1/2 teaspoon 2.5mlRed onion - thinly sliced (small)
1 tablespoon 15mlWhite wine vinegar
1/4 cup 15g / 0.5ozCurrants
1/2 cup 118mlWalnuts
1 tablespoon 15mlLemon juice
5 tablespoons 75mlExtra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon 15mlChopped fresh mint
1 tablespoon 15mlChopped fresh oregano
  Salt - to taste
  Freshly-ground black pepper - to taste
1 cup 237mlBaby arugula
12 cups 2844mlSea scallops (large)

Recipe Instructions

Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the lentils, bay leaf, thyme and enough water to cover in medium pot. Simmer until the lentils are just tender, about 25 minutes.

While the lentils are cooking, combine the onion and vinegar in a small bowl. Let them stand 5 minutes, drain and reserve the vinegar. Place the currants in 1/2 cup warm water to plump, 10 minutes. Drain.

Spread the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast them until fragrant and lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Coarsely chop them and set them aside.

Whisk together the reserved vinegar, lemon juice, 4 tablespoons of olive oil, the mint and oregano. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Dry the scallops thoroughly with paper towels. Season them with salt and pepper. Heat the remaining olive oil in a nonstick skillet over high heat. When the pan is hot, brown the scallops about 1 minute on each side. Remove them from the pan to a plate.

Drain the lentils and discard the bay leaf. Combine them with the onions, walnuts, currents, arugula and vinaigrette while still warm. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Arrange the lentil salad on individual plates with the scallops.

This recipe yields 4 servings.

Each serving: 389 calories; 213 mg sodium; 28 mg cholesterol; 28 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 17 grams carbohydrates; 21 grams protein; 5.60 grams fiber.

Source:
The Los Angeles Times, 06-20-2001

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