Lentils and Mozzarella Caprese From 'Feast'

By
Kate Williams
Kate Itrich-Williams is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Kate Williams
Kate Itrich-Williams is a food writer, editor, and recipe developer who wrote the "Cook the Book" column for Serious Eats.
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Updated Mar. 26, 2019
Lentil Caprese
Yunhee Kim

According to Sarah Copeland, caprese salad doesn't always need to include tomatoes and basil. Whether or not we take that as indisputable truth, it would be impossible not to enjoy her four seasonal variations on the salad in her new cookbook, Feast. Each salad uses mozzarella as a link to the classic. There are peas in the spring, beets in the fall, tomatoes (of course) in summer, and lentils in this winter version. The legumes are simmered with carrots, celery, and garlic; studded with bocconcini and pine nuts; and then drizzled with an herby vinaigrette. Served warm or cool, it's a fine side dish or snack, even if it isn't a classic caprese.

Why I picked this recipe: Lentil salads are one of my wintertime staples, but I'd never had one with mozzarella.

What worked: Much like yesterday's salad, this dish is an example of simplicity done right. I especially liked the way the earthy lentils were countered by the creamy, cool mozzarella.

What didn't: Nothing.

Suggested tweaks: You can use any herbs you'd like here. I used mostly parsley with a little bit of mint thrown in. Walnuts would also work well in place of the pine nuts.

Reprinted with permission from Feast: Generous Vegetarian Meals for Any Eater and Every Appetite by Sarah Copeland. Copyright 2013. Published by Chronicle Books. All rights reserved. Available wherever books are sold.

Recipe Details

Lentils and Mozzarella Caprese From 'Feast'

Active 20 mins
Total 0 mins
Serves 2 to 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup (60ml) plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1 stalk celery, finely chopped

  • 1 carrot, peeled and finely chopped

  • 1 cup (185g) green or brown lentils, rinsed

  • Sea salt

  • 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard

  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar

  • Handful assorted fresh herbs such as dill, chives, basil, or mint, finely chopped

  • Freshly ground pepper

  • 1 cup (510g) fresh bocconcini mozzarella, torn, or mozzarella, sliced

  • Coarse sea salt for sprinkling

  • 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Directions

  1. Heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan. Add the garlic, celery, and carrot and cook over medium heat until fragrant, about 6 minutes. Add the lentils, 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, and just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, and simmer until just soft, 30 to 35 minutes. Drain the lentils.

  2. Meanwhile, pulse together the mustard, vinegar, and herbs in a food processor or blender, or whisk together by hand. Drizzle in the remaining 1/4 cup (60 ml) olive oil and pulse or whisk to bring together. Add 1/4 teaspoon sea salt and season with pepper. Taste and add more salt as needed.

  3. Spoon the warm lentils onto plates. Top with the mozzarella and sprinkle the mozzarella with coarse sea salt. Top the lentils and mozzarella with the pine nuts and drizzle with the herb vinaigrette. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
593 Calories
48g Fat
14g Carbs
28g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 4
Amount per serving
Calories 593
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 48g 61%
Saturated Fat 17g 84%
Cholesterol 82mg 27%
Sodium 1024mg 45%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 5g 17%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 28g
Vitamin C 2mg 12%
Calcium 550mg 42%
Iron 3mg 14%
Potassium 363mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)