Beluga Lentil, Butter Lettuce, and Radish Salad with Creamy Lemon Cashew Dressing
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 Beluga lentil, butter lettuce, and radish salad with creamy lemon cashew dressing // Choosing Raw

This is a simple, no fuss, no frills salad. Only three ingredients — lentils, lettuce, and radish — which for me is rather sparse as far as salads go. I’m so accustomed to the meal-sized salad paradigm that it feels odd for me to put together a salad that’s intended as an accompaniment or a first course or a component of a larger meal. But sometimes salads are intended to play well with others, and with that in mind, I created this springtime concoction. It’s still nutrient dense, but it’s also light and elegant, the perfect thing to serve with a bowl of creamy curried cauliflower or carrot, turmeric and ginger soup. It’s also a nice appetizer option for a spring dinner with friends or family.

Creamy lemon cashew dressing // Choosing Raw

As with most of my salad recipes, what makes this salad special has nothing to do with the greens or the vegetables. It’s all about the dressing.

Creamy lemon cashew dressing // Choosing Raw

Cashews are perfect salad dressing base. They blend up easily and create creamy texture without any need for added fats or emulsifiers. They’re also mild in flavor, which makes them a good alternative to nut butter or tahini dressings. I’m guilty of relying on tahini a little too much when it comes to my dressings. When I use cashews, I’m reminded that it’s nice to have a neutral-tasting base ingredient (tahini is many things, but neutral it’s not; the taste is so distinctive). From there, you can allow herbs, spices, or other seasonings to shine.

Beluga lentil, butter lettuce, and radish salad with creamy lemon cashew dressing // Choosing Raw

In the case of this particular dressing, what shines through is bright notes of lemon, a touch of sweetness, and shallots. I’ve been using shallots in dressings a lot lately; it’s so much more mild and neutral than garlic, yet it imparts a savory quality that’s unmistakable and really enhances any salad. I like it best in vinaigrettes, but it’s also a crucial ingredient here.

Beluga lentil, butter lettuce, and radish salad with creamy lemon cashew dressing // Choosing Raw

To prepare this salad, I toss the greens and radishes in the dressing first, spoon the lentils on top, and then drizzle additional dressing over them. You could dress it all together, if you like.

Beluga lentil, butter lettuce, and radish salad with creamy lemon cashew dressing // Choosing Raw

Beluga lentils are a pretty terrific salad ingredient, as far as pulses go. Like French (or Le Puy) lentils, they’re firmer than green or brown lentils, which means that they’ll impart a pleasant chew to your salad. They also cook up quickly, and like all lentils, they’re rich in protein, iron, and magnesium. So much nourishment in such a small, humble package!

Here’s the recipe.

Beluga lentil, butter lettuce, and radish salad with creamy lemon cashew dressing // Choosing Raw
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Beluga Lentil, Butter Lettuce, and Radish Salad with Creamy Lemon Cashew Dressing

Author - Gena Hamshaw
Yields: 4 servings and 1 2/3 cups dressing

Ingredients

*For the salad*:

  • 4.5 ounces 4-5 cups washed, dried, and chopped butter lettuce leaves
  • 4 large radishes thinly sliced
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked Beluga or French lentils

*For the creamy lemon cashew dressing*:

  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 cup cashews soaked for 2-8 hours and drained of soak water
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 3/4 - 1 teaspoon salt I like to use a whole teaspoon; once you combine the dressing with other ingredients, you'll see that the saltiness is mellowed out
  • 3 tablespoons chopped shallots
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup

Instructions

  • To prepare the dressing, combine all ingredients in a blender and blend till smooth. Dressing will make 1 2/3 cups.
  • To prepare the salad, toss the butter lettuce and radishes together along with 1/2 cup of the dressing. Lay the vegetables onto serving plates and top each with a quarter of the lentils. Spoon additional dressing onto the lentils and serve.
  • Leftover dressing will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge.

Beluga lentil, butter lettuce, and radish salad with creamy lemon cashew dressing // Choosing Raw

I hope you’ll try this simple, springtime dish soon. Even if the salad doesn’t speak to you, try the dressing. It’s really lovely, and I can attest to the fact (having worked on leftovers for a few days now) that it’s great on steamed greens, quinoa, rice, cooked chickpeas, and roasted sweet potatoes as well as on salads.

I’ll be back soon. I wish you all a nice Tuesday!

xo

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Categories: Recipes, Salads, Side Dishes
Ingredients: Lentils
Dietary Preferences: Gluten Free, No Oil, Soy Free, Vegan

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    15 Comments
  1. Those lentils in the photo are definitely not resembling beluga lentils, they appear to be Le Puy lentils. Not small and black and round enough for belugas.

  2. Radishes and I have a love – hate relationship. I was subjected to a terrible version of them as a child and always thought I hated them. Now that I’m an adult, I’m *trying* to eat things that I don’t like in an effort to add new exciting foods to my diet (sometimes it doesn’t work – I’m looking at you, mushrooms). I’m starting to actually like radishes, and I think lentils are the perfect partner to balance them out!

    Thank you for sharing your recipe!

  3. I’ve been loving lentils lately in all kinds of bowls and salady things. And this appetizer salad – yes! I too have fallen prey to the meal sized salad paradigm, and when I made an appetizer salad on the weekend it felt a bit strange, but was so lovely. Thanks for another winner, Gena!

  4. I have to admit that the thought to use lentils in a salad has never crossed my mind. Thank you for sharing your creativity! I obviously needed to see this!

    • I couldn’t agree more. I should write a cookbook that is exclusively dressings. It’s possible that only you or I would want to read it, but…

  5. There is not much that tops greens and lentils in a savory dressing! The perfect plate, in my opinion. I’ll definitely give this dressing a try soon!