YOUR FRIENDS' ACTIVITY

    Healthy and Delicious Lentil and Rice Salad

    By | Shine Food – Mon, Aug 27, 2012 12:05 PM EDT

    Photo by María del Mar Sacasa / Ennis, Inc.Photo by María del Mar Sacasa / Ennis, Inc.By Bon Appétit

    Lentil and Rice Salad
    You'll want to make this recipe part of your summer repertoire; it's the perfect side dish for a barbecue or picnic. It's equally delicious warm, cold, or at room temperature.

    Read More:     The Best New
    Restaurants of 2012




    Ingredients
    1 1/4 cups French green lentils, rinsed, drained
    1/3 cup fresh lime juice
    2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
    4 teaspoons minced garlic
    1 teaspoon ground cumin
    3/4 teaspoon sugar
    Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
    2 cups steamed brown rice or brown basmati rice, cooled
    1 tomato, halved, seeded, chopped
    1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro plus sprigs for garnish
    1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion (from about 1/4 onion)
    Avocado wedges (optional)
    Lime wedges

    INGREDIENT INFO:
    French green lentils are available at specialty foods stores and some supermarkets.

    Read More: The Best Store-Bought Ice Cream

    Preparation
    Place lentils in a saucepan and add water to cover by 3". Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook, adding more water if needed to keep lentils covered, until lentils are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain; spread out lentils on a baking sheet and let cool.

    Meanwhile, whisk lime juice, oil, garlic, cumin, and sugar in a small bowl to combine. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.

    Combine cooled lentils, rice, tomato, chopped cilantro, and onion in a large bowl. Pour dressing over and gently mix to coat well; season to taste with more salt and pepper. Top with avocado, if using. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and lime wedges for squeezing over.


    More from Bon Appétit:

    How to Build a Better Burger
    10 Kitchen Upgrades for Under
    $50 Junk Food Makeover: Tater Tots
    10 Snacks You Thought Were Healthy But Really Aren't

    SUPPER CLUB PICK

    • Childhood Favorites from the Shine Supper Club
      View Photos
      Childhood Favorites from the Shine Supper Club
      Childhood Favorites from the Shine Supper Club

      My after-school snack was a sacred ritual. I sat on the carpet in my parents' bedroom at a low table, the television turned to "I Dream of Jeannie," and ate a peanut butter and honey sandwich cut into neat squares. I wasn't fussy about crusts. I just loved the sticky pairing of creamy peanut butter with syrupy golden sweetness drizzled from a honey bear in diagonals across the soft white bread. Nothing else--save for maybe apples and peanut butter in a pinch--could have made for as sweet an