• Healthy

Ingredients

1. 2 tablespoons pine nuts
2. 2 tablespoons minced mint leaves
3. 1 tablespoon minced flat-leaf parsley
4. 6 garlic cloves, minced
5. 1/4 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
6. Freshly ground pepper
7. 4 ounces feta cheese, preferably French, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
8. 2 cups French green lentils (14 ounces), picked over
9. 6 cups water
10. 2 medium carrots, cut into 1/2-inch dice
11. 2 medium leeks, white and tender green, cut into 1/2-inch dice
12. 2 teaspoons ground cumin
13. 1 teaspoon minced peeled fresh ginger
14. 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
15. 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
16. Salt

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375°. Spread the pine nuts in a small baking dish and bake for about 2 minutes, or until lightly toasted; let cool. Finely chop 1 tablespoon of the nuts; reserve the rest for garnish.
2. In a bowl, combine the chopped pine nuts with the mint, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon of the garlic and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil; season with pepper. Add the diced feta and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or overnight.
3. In a medium saucepan, cover the lentils with the water and bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain well.
4. In a small saucepan of boiling salted water, blanch the carrots until just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain and let cool.
5. In a large heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the leeks, cooked carrots and the remaining garlic and cook over moderately low heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the cumin, ginger and coriander and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes. Add the lentils and stir until warmed through.
6. In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar with the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil and pour it over the lentils. Season the salad generously with salt and pepper and transfer it to a serving dish. Top with the marinated feta and mint dressing and the toasted pine nuts and serve.
7. ONE SERVING Calories 354 kcal, Total Fat 17.1 gm, Saturated Fat 4.1 gm

Make Ahead

The recipe can be prepared through Step 4 up to 1 day ahead; refrigerate the lentils, feta and carrots separately and let the nuts stand at room temperature.