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It is spring time! I absolutely love this warmer weather and what better way to celebrate spring than with lemons ๐Ÿ˜‰

I am all about lemons. The versatile yellow wonder is one of the most widely used citrus fruits in the world. An excellent source of vitamin C along with some antioxidants, iron, copper, potassium and calcium, lemons can be added to a multitude of recipes to enhance flavour and increase the acidity. I add lemon to almost everything I eat, especially salads.

My Lemony Lentil and Feta Salad is super quick to make and a favourite of my daughters. The mild lentils are complemented by the salty feta cheese and the crunchy peppers and cucumbers, while the black olives add texture. The lemon and oil-based dressing has just the right balance of acidity and gives the salad a flavourful ‘zing’. This Greek-inspired salad is full of protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals, great for lunch or dinner!

Because of the feta cheese, I don’t add salt to this recipe. Instead, I rely on the bold lemon flavour of the dressing along with some Greek-inspired seasonings. Give this recipe a try today ๐Ÿ™‚

Lemony Lentil and Feta Salad Recipe 

Prep time: 15 minutes

Total time: 25 minutes tops

INGREDIENTS:

Salad:

  • 540mL/19oz can of lentils, rinsed and drained
  • 1โ„2 large red pepper, diced 
  • 1โ„2 large yellow pepper, diced 
  • 1 cup chopped cucumber
  • 1 cup crumbled, low-fat feta cheese
  • 1 cup sliced, ripe black olives (avoid any marinated olives for this salad)
  • Optional seasonings: salt, pepper, dried oregano or thyme

Dressing:

  • 1โ„3 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1โ„4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (about half a large lemon)
  • 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste (optional)

DIRECTIONS:

  1. In a large bowl, combine lentils, chopped peppers, cucumber and olives
  2. In a separate smaller bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar and garlic powder (add salt and pepper if so desired)
  3. Drizzle dressing onto salad and gently mix with a spoon or salad tongs
  4. Add further seasonings as desired such a dried oregano, thyme, etc.

Bon appรฉtit!

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Author

A mother and lover of all things practical, Jill is a 40-something, teacher, world traveler and self-proclaimed pragmatist trying to navigate this journey called life. She currently works as a freelance writer/photographer, part-time teacher and full-time mom to two fabulous daughters. Her blog www.pragmamamma.net features simple and family-friendly recipes, original photography and hot parenting topics. Her diverse career has taken her to London, England and to the sky scrapers of Bay Street, Toronto. Jill loves getting creative in the kitchen, reading, spending time with her family and snapping photos around her neighbourhood in Burlington, Ontario.

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