Little Gem Salad with Lentils, Radicchio and, Pecorino Vinaigrette

5 from 1 vote

Little Gem Salad with Lentils, Radicchio and, Pecorino Vinaigrette

Crisp, little gem lettuce leaves, bitter radicchio, and black beluga lentils tossed with creamy pecorino cheese vinaigrette. This hearty and refreshing salad is perfect for a healthy lunch or dinner!

Prep Time15

Course: Salad

Cuisine: American, French

Servings:

Calories: 505kcal

Author: Leigh Anderson

Ingredients

Salad

1 head radicchio or treviso trimmed and roughly torn into 1-inch pieces
4 heads little gem lettuces cores removed, leaves separated
1 heaping cup cooked black beluga lentils see note
1 shallot minced
4 radishes trimmed, and thinly sliced
1/2 c parsley leaves

Dressing

1 c grated pecorino cheese
2 tbsp dijon mustard
1/4 c sherry vinegar
1 tbsp honey
1/2 c olive oil
salt and pepper

Instructions

To make the dressing place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend on high until combined.
In a small bowl toss the lentils and minced shallot with a few tablespoons of the dressing, just enough to coat. Taste and season with salt and pepper.
To make the salad: In a large bowl toss the radicchio, gem lettuce leaves, parsley, and sliced radish with a few tablespoons of the dressing. Season the salad with salt and pepper. Divide between bowls and top with the marinated lentils and grated pecorino cheese.

Notes

Ingredient Substitutions:

Gem Lettuce: romaine hearts
Pecorino Cheese: parmesan or manchego
Sherry Vinegar: red wine vinegar or lemon juice

FAQs, Tips, and Tricks:

How to Cook Lentils: To cook lentils place them in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse with water. Comb through them and pick out any rocks or debris. Pour the lentils into a medium saucepan and cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 20-25 minutes or until the lentils are tender. Drain, rinse and, let cool to room temperature.
Can this salad be made ahead of time? You can make the dressing, marinate the lentils, and wash all of the lettuce up to a day in advance. Wait to toss the lettuces with dressing until just before you're ready to serve.

Nutrition