Lentil and Kielbasa Salad

x 1


Prep Time

20 min

Cook Time

25 min

Total Time

45 min

Serves

6

Servings

6

Salad
Main Dish
Kid Friendly
Comfort Food

Ingredients

  • olive oil Good olive oil
  • leeks 2 cups medium-diced leeks, white and light green parts
  • carrots 1 cup (1/4-inch-dice) carrots (2 carrots)
  • French Le Puy lentils 1 pound green French Le Puy lentils
  • onion 1 whole peeled onion stuck with 6 whole dried cloves
  • turnip 1 small turnip
  • garlic 1 tablespoon minced garlic (3 cloves)
  • red wine vinegar 5 tablespoons good red wine vinegar
  • kosher salt Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • scallions 6 scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced crosswise
  • fresh thyme 1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh thyme leaves
  • fresh parsley 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley leaves
  • kielbasa 10 ounces kielbasa, halved lengthwise and sliced 1/2 inch thick diagonally
  • baguette 6 (1/2-inch-thick) diagonal slices of a baguette
  • goat cheese 4 ounces creamy herbed goat cheese, such as Montrachet

Preparation

  1. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large saucepan, add the leeks, and cook uncovered over medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the carrots and cook for one minute. Add the lentils, onion, turnip, and 6 cups of water. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer uncovered for 20 to 25 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Discard the onion and turnip and drain the lentils, reserving some of the cooking liquid. Place the lentils in a large bowl.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl or glass measuring cup, whisk together the vinegar, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Slowly whisk in 1/2 cup olive oil, add the lentils, and toss. If it’s dry, add a few tablespoons of the reserved cooking liquid.
  3. Add the scallions, thyme, parsley, kielbasa, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and toss. Set aside to cool.
  4. Toast the baguette slices and spread with the goat cheese. Taste the salad for seasonings and serve at room temperature with the goat cheese toasts.