Springtime or Anytime Lentil Salad

Author Notes

This recipe hits the sweet spot for weeknight dinner planning: It's simple, quick, easy to make ahead, healthful, and—most importantly—packed with big flavors. The fresh mint brings a sunny breeze of springtime into dinner, no matter what time of year you have it. If you are making this dish ahead of time, I recommend waiting to add the fresh mint until right before serving for maximum minty impact. I recommend small black lentils for this dish, but green or brown will work, too. The important thing is that you use lentils with the skin still on—otherwise they'll be too mushy to use in the salad. —vrunka

Test Kitchen Notes

The perfect quick light weekend lunch on a chilly day in early spring. For so few ingredients, the flavors are full, complex, and balanced—the earthy lentils, salty feta, sweet sun-dried tomatoes, and bright lemon, all complimented by the aromatic freshness of mint. Each bite brings a variety of joyful textures. We ate it with fresh whole-grain bread for lunch, then enjoyed what little was left over stuffed into pitas and topped with spicy harissa the next day. —Annabelle