Lentil And Orzo Salad

Total Time: 1 hr Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 45 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 2 cups orzo pasta
• salt & freshly ground black pepper
• 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 cup french green lentil
• 1 carrot, peeled and halved
• 1 celery rib, halved
• 1 small onion, peeled and halved
• 1 bay leaf
• 1/2 cup peeled seeded and diced cucumber
• 1/2 cup diced tomato
• 2 tablespoons chopped italian parsley
• 2 tablespoons sliced almonds, toasted
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

Recipe

• 1 bring 6 cups of salted water to a boil in a large pot.
• 2 add the orzo and boil for 8-10 minutes or until tender.
• 3 drain, and toss with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
• 4 spread the orzo onto a sheet pan, and cool in the refrigerator.
• 5 meanwhile, place the lentils, carrot, celery, onion, bay leaf, and salt into a large pot, and add enough water to cover.
• 6 bring to a simmer, and cook until lentils are just tender, about 25 minutes.
• 7 drain, and discard the carrots, celery, onions, and bay leaf.
• 8 mix the lentils and the cooled orzo in a large salad bowl.
• 9 add the cucumber, tomato, parsley, almonds, mint, basil, lemon juice, and remaining oil.
• 10 toss until combined, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• 11 set aside to allow the flavors to develop for at least 1 hour before serving.