Well, to say this post is long overdue would honestly be an understatement. I initially wanted to post this salad recipe in January but then I didn't have the pictures ready so I put it off, then I couldn't get myself to write the actual post... Anywayyy, long story short — life happened, still is happening, and although my thoughts are still partly elsewhere, I decided to finally get myself to write this post.Yay!! (though it's 11:30PM right now and I'm super sleepy so I can't be held responsible what I talk about)
This French Lentil Broccoli Salad is totally incredible so I'm happy I finally pushed myself to publish it.
The combination of fresh mint, parsley, marjoram, and toasted hazelnuts is absolutely incredible! And when you add the feta cheese to it (if you're not vegan), it's even more amazing, I'm not even kidding.
I was planning to talk about how amazing this French Lentil Broccoli Salad is but I also really want to talk to you about life and things. You know, the way you update your friend on what's new in your life. Yes, I consider you my friend. The only problem is I can't share with you the food I make as I would with real life friends. That kind of sucks but hey, at least I share with you how to make it.
On a different note, I posted a new video on Youtube!! You can check it out HERE. It's a quick and easy recipe for Tahini Chocolate Sauce which you absolutely need in your life.
I've been in quite the rut lately, in all areas of my life. I have been desperately trying to get out of it but it just hit me hard and procrastination's been getting the best of my at times. I love blogging, I really do. I love coming up with recipes, I love taking the pictures, editing, them and then sharing both with you along with personal stories. It's such a joy, yet lately, I've been struggling to bring myself to do it. Why? Frankly, I have no idea. It may be a quarter life crisis, lack of creativity, or dare I say mild depression? (I'm not going to elaborate on the depression part, at least not right now. It's a controversial topic and I'll talk about it when I have more meaningful things to say)
I feel like my blog is lacking something but I don't know what it is yet. From the start, I wanted this space to be more than just recipes. I love sharing new, fun, and healthy recipes but I also I want to share my love for travel, my favorite restaurants in different cities of the world, reviews of natural cosmetic products, as well as to talk about nutrition and superfoods more (I still want to go to nutrition school, hopefully IIN). I'm going to sit down and figure out how to incorporate all this in a way you'd like and how to make the posts the most valuable to you. Basically, I want to transform The Healthful Ideas from a strictly recipe blog into a space where you go to find healthy plant-based recipes and valuable information about anything related to the topic. My message from the beginning has been sharing my weight loss journey and knowledge of healthy eating with others to help them reclaim their health and become the best version of themselves. I lost my way somewhere between homemade chocolate and creamy oatmeal but I'm back on track, ready to focus on what's important and take my blog to the next level.
French Lentil Broccoli Salad with Toasted Hazelnuts
- Prep Time: 2 hours
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 mins
- Yield: 2-4 1x
- Category: Salad
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup hazelnuts
- 1 cup dry french (du puy) lentils, soaked for 2 hours prior to cooking
- 1 broccoli, cut into florets/bite-sized pieces (about 3 cups)
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- 1 shallot, chopped (finely chopped or sliced, depends on your preference)
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta (optional, skip to keep it vegan)
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- 3 tbsp chopped fresh mint
- 3 tsp dried marjoram (or 2-3 tbsp fresh but I only had dried)
DRESSING:
- 5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 4 tsp apple cider vinegar
- sea salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 170C (325F). Toast the hazelnuts in the oven for 10 minutes. Let cool down and using a paper towel, rub off as much skin off the hazelnuts as you can. Set aside.
- In a medium pot, bring the lentils to a boil and cook for 15-25 minutes until tender. Drain and pour into a big mixing bowl.
- While that's cooking, steam the broccoli for 10 minutes or until tender. Add the broccoli to the lentils and set aside.
- Heat the coconut oil in a small pan and sautée the shallot for 5-7 minutes or until glossy and starting to get brown. Add it to the bowl along with the chopped bell pepper, feta (if using), parsley, mint, and marjoram. Season with salt and pepper and toss to mix everything. Roughly chop some of the hazelnuts and add 3-4 tbsp to the salad.
- Drizzle with the dressing, toss again and serve sprinkled with more hazelnuts or herbs if desired.
- Store in the fridge in an airtight container for 2-4 days (it'll probably stay fresh longer if you're not using the feta).
Oh my goodness that looks absolutely beautiful! I am a big fan of puy lentils and always have a bag or two lurking in my pantry for quick meals like this.
They're so hearty and delicious<3 I totally think they should be as popular as quinoa!
That looks so so good..I am vegetarian and I am definitely making this tomorrow! :)
Yay! hope you love it! :)
This looks beyond yummy and perfect for summer gatherings!
Totally agree! I can't wait for summer! Thanks, Chelsea :)
This looks so good! Im going to have to make this soon!
Let me know how you liked it if you do! :)
This looks REALLY good! pinned!
Thanks, Beth!
This dish looks delicious. I wish I didn't have such picky eaters in my home I would make this for dinner.
ah I know exactly what you mean, though I'm sure they'd end up liking this one! It's full of flavor!
This looks very yummy and healthy. I would make this.
★★★★★
Thanks, Sophia! I'm glad you like it :)
This looks great! I need to try this one night and see if my husband will eat it lol he can be a bit picky when it comes to trying new things.
Haha you can always try! I'm sure he would ;)
That looks great! I am not a salad person but I know a lot of people who are. I will definitely be sharing this with them.
Belle | One Awesome Momma
Yay! Thanks! :)
I'm sorry that you feel like your blog is lacking something, I really enjoy everything that you post! I really want to try this salad, it combines a few of my favorite things.
You're so sweet, thank you so much<3
I love lentils. My mom made a lentils soup when I was a kid that sometimes I still think about!! This salad looks great!
Sounds delicious! :)
This looks like a healthy, filling salad. I love that it's not so difficult to make and it has all the right elements, flavor, taste, crunch, and all that! I'm definitely keeping the recipe.
That's why I love it! Thanks for checking it out! :)
This looks divine. I'm trying to eat vegetarian more often and this is perfect.
★★★★★
Thanks! I'm glad you like it, Nicole!
Wow! This dish looks as lovely as it does delicious. Lentils are so good for you, yet aside from soup, I never think to make them. This dish is going to fix that problem. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks, Cait! I love lentil soups but they also totally bring salads to a whole new level :)
You are one talented lady. I don't love broccoli or lentils, but the way you put them together might change my mind.
Lynn N.
http://emmaandrose.com
Pinterest/Twitter: @emmaandrose
Instagram: @emmaandroseblog
I'm happy to hear that! ;)
As a vegan this looks so delicious to me! All the ingredients sounds yummy together, and I can't wait to make that dressing! This is a must-pin recipe for me, haha!
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Yay! I'm glad you like it Rosalyn! :)
This looks amazing! I would definitely add a big chunk of feta to it! So good!!
I'm totally with you on that! Love feta! :)
I love just about anything with feta sprinkled on it! This looks like a recipe I'll have to use soon!
Me too! Hope you enjoy it! :)
Wow that looks so good! I havent had anything with lentils in a long time. I bet my whole family would enjoy this, I look forward to making it for them!
Yay! Thanks, Jeanine! :)
What a perfect simple healthy lunch! I love that it's different from everything out there. I've been wanting to mix things up a bit!
Thanks, Tabitha! This is really one of my favorites<3
So refreshing!! This looks so yummy and I seriously can't wait to try and make it at home. I love that it's made of simple ingredients.
Thanks Kary! If you make it, let me know how it was :)
This salad looks awesome! I am always down to try out a new salad. They fill me up and are definitely really good for you no matter what.
Totally agree! Salad is the best<3
This is an interesting concept. I never heard of a broccoli salad it would be new to try it.
It's amazing I promise :)
Several years ago I started the process of going through the Integrative Nutrition program, but it never panned out. Instead I have taken several e-course from Heather Bruggman of beauty that moves, and she went through the Integrative Nutrition program. her classes are amazing if you ever have a chance to take one! This recipe looks delicious! I have never cooked with french lentils!
Thanks for letting me know, I'll definitely look her up!
I love lentils and I love feta cheese. I can just imagine the flavors of this salad being amazing. I look for the ingredients next time I am at the store.
Me too! I love those two with the mint and the hazelnuts. Heaven!
Omg can we say yum?!?! This looks like one tasty salad! I will be giving your recipe a try! Deliciousness
Thanks so much, Courtney! :)
This looks so beautiful and delicious!
Thanks Jazz! :)
My son and I really loved this recipe! My son looked at it as though he was going to hate it; but the flavor was perfect for both of us. I used almonds as I didn't have hazelnuts and I left out the maple syrup as I knew that would be too sweet for our tastes.
★★★★
So sorry about the late reply, I'm glad you both enjoyed it! Haha getting kids to like broccoli is tricky, I'm glad he liked it in this dish! :)