We are into the third week of the Protein Rich Mega marathon . Week 1 featured Kebabs , Week 2 Biryanis and this week we have Protein Rich Salads .
For the first day of Salads I have a Lentil Salad . It has nostalgic memories ! When I got married , I could hardly cook and perhaps this is one of the first salads I made by myself for one of the dinners . Even after 39 years I can’t forget the amount of appreciation I got .
An excellent source of protein comes via Lentils and Pulses . These cooked Lentils and Pulses provide fibre and proteins and are low in fat. Each bean has its own health boosting element.
The salad has chickpeas , kidney beans , black eyed beans , sprouted moong beans , all these lentils are full of protein . I added onion, cucumber ,tomato and pomegranate for crunch . Coriander and mint make excellent herbs for this salad . A dash of yellow chilly powder and some spicy finely cut green chilly add on to the zing . One can add some tamarind juice or lemon juice , both compliment the salad .
A variation in the herbs and the spices can totally alter this salad , try adding tamarind and jaggery , along with some soy sauce , top with peanuts to give you a Thai Lentil Salad .
Lentil Salad
Ingredients
1/2 cup red kidney beans,boiled
1/2 cup black eyed beans,boiled
1/2 cup chick peas,boiled
1/2 cup moong beans , sprouted ,raw or boiled
1 cucumber ,cut into small cubes
1 small onion, chopped finely
1 tomato , cubed
2-3 green chilly, finely chopped
1/2 cup pomegranate pearls
Coriander leaves , roughly chopped
Dressing
Mint leaves , roughly torn
1/4 tsp black salt
1/4 tsp yellow chilly powder
1 tsp roasted cumin powder
Salt to taste
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tbsp tamarind pulp
1 tbsp olive oil
Method
Mix all beans and chill for about 30 minutes.
Mix all ingredients under dressing in a glass jar and shake well . Keep in the freezer till you finish mixing the salad.
Mix all beans , cucumbers, onions and tomatoes .
Pour the dressing and coriander leaves . Mix again.
Check for salt and flavours. Adjust according to taste.
Garnish with pomegranate pearls .
Note:
To save time you can use canned beans.
Sprouts too are easily available in the market.
Lentil Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup red kidney beans boiled
- 1/2 cup black eyed beans boiled
- 1/2 cup chick peas boiled
- 1/2 cup moong beans sprouted ,raw or boiled
- 1 cucumber cut into small cubes
- 1 small onion chopped finely
- 1 tomato cubed
- 2-3 green chilly finely chopped
- 1/2 cup pomegranate pearls
- leaves Coriander roughly chopped
Dressing
- leaves Mint roughly torn
- 1/4 tsp black salt
- 1/4 tsp yellow chilly powder
- 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp tamarind pulp
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Instructions
- Mix all beans and chill for about 30 minutes.
- Mix all ingredients under dressing in a glass jar and shake well . Keep in the freezer till you finish mixing the salad.
- Mix all beans , cucumbers, onions and tomatoes .
- Pour the dressing and coriander leaves . Mix again.
- Check for salt and flavors. Adjust according to taste.
- Garnish with pomegranate pearls .
Notes
Check out the Blogging Marathon page for the other Blogging Marathoners doing BM# 80
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Awesome Vaishali and I wonder how this was missed being featured here until now!..On another note, I can’t imagine you not being able to cook..lol…seriously!..Looking forward to all your salads, you are a pro at salads and I am sure I can pick up some very good ones!
Omg, that is a load of protein and I guess the name justified the dish. The first ones are always special and close to heart.
Such a colorful and yummy salad…Loaded with all kinds of protein!!
That’s one filling and yummy salad. No wonder you are receiving appreciation even after 39 years. Amazing.
Omg, i cant believe that you hardly cooked earlier, and this salad looks super nutritious and very filling. Lovely ingredients went in it.
I love the salad, it looks so tempting. Its a recipe I’ll definitely try out. I remember when I got married, my mother in law would have so many parties and making different kinds of salads and desserts always fell into my laps. Peeling and chopping ingredients for so many people was not easy but the appreciation I got was worth all the effort.
Vaishali, no one can beat you at your presentation of dishes. What a colourful nutritious salad you have made. The pomegranate seeds add an amazing effect to the final dish and I am sure the sweetness would have added to the flavour too.
This is my kind of salad vaishali. Somehow cannot believe you did not know cooking. I know it’s true as most of us don’t when we marry.
I cannot believe this is the recipe you started your cooking journey with! It’s elegant and colorful and it hardly feels like a beginners recipe :-).
Such a versatile salad. The pome adds a nice color to the dish.Lovely presentation Vaishali..
Lentil salads are always energy boosters and filling. A must have recipe
loved the styling and the photography in this dish today – totally vibrant and like a new “YOU” ! salad always welcome :-)) when I visit u , pls pamper me wit chaat and salads :p and I shall dole out south indian in ur kitchen ! deal ? :-))
I liked the idea of adding pomegranade seeds. It will impart a nice sweet taste to the salad. And needless to say I guess – Lovely presentation.