email this pageThe festival kicks off Friday evening, Aug. 22, 2008, with the 250-gallon Big Bowl of Lentil Chili—that’s free chili for about 5,000 people. Then it’s on to the Lentil Lane Food Court for lentil ice cream, chicken lentil burritos and lentil egg rolls. And on Saturday, there’s the Lentil Pancake Breakfast, the Lentil Parade and the festival’s cornerstone event, the Lentil Cook-Off. Recipe submissions have spanned the spectrum: lentil pot stickers, tomato coconut lentil soup, lentil-crusted salmon and even lentil cheesecake.
Little Bean, Big Benefits
- Lentils provide more folic acid than any other unfortified food, with 1 cup providing 90 percent of the recommended daily allowance (RDA).
- Lentils are high in iron. Eating lentils with foods rich in vitamin C, such as tomatoes, green peppers, broccoli, and citrus fruits or juices, helps the body absorb iron more efficiently.
- Lentils are high in fiber (8 grams per 1/2 cup), most of which is soluble, the type that can lower cholesterol.
Lentil Turkey Salad with Feta Cheese
Use your favorite herbs and vegetables in this adaptable salad. Rotisserie chicken works well too.
Ingredients
Ingredients
1 1/4 cups dried lentils
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 1/2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes
1 cup diced cucumber
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
3/4 cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
8 ounces smoked turkey breast, shredded
Instructions
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 1/2 cups quartered cherry tomatoes
1 cup diced cucumber
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and diced
3/4 cup (2 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
8 ounces smoked turkey breast, shredded
1. Place lentils in a large saucepan; cover with water to 2 inches above lentils, and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain well and transfer to a large bowl.
2. Combine lemon juice, olive oil, basil, salt, pepper and garlic. Stir with a whisk until blended. Add to lentils. Add tomatoes, cucumbers, jalapeno, cheese and turkey; toss gently. Serves 6.
Nutritional Information
2. Combine lemon juice, olive oil, basil, salt, pepper and garlic. Stir with a whisk until blended. Add to lentils. Add tomatoes, cucumbers, jalapeno, cheese and turkey; toss gently. Serves 6.
Per serving: 290 calories, 8g fat, 25g prot., 30g carbs., 6g fiber, 300mg sodium.
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