Warm quinoa, lentil, kale and feta salad with salmon and broccoli - an extremely high protein, nutritious, filling and delicious meal.
Barring some extremely boring vegetable broths I made when I tried following the 5:2 diet for a while (I lasted 5 weeks and only lost 2lb... and fast days were a nightmare, I have been banned from trying it again, apparently I am not very nice to be around when I'm starving, shocker.), this quinoa, lentil, kale and feta salad has to be the healthiest meal I have ever cooked.
But unlike the vegetable broth it is actually, genuinely delicious! This is definitely due in part to the fact that it contains cheese, everything is better with cheese; but it is also loaded with green vegetables and provides lots of protein in the form of lentils and quinoa (and salmon), all of which also happen to be very tasty.
Seasoned with lemon juice, garlic and extra virgin olive oil, paired with the feta and the fact that I cooked the quinoa in vegetable stock, it is an extremely flavourful and more-ish salad that is also very very good for you; and because it is high in protein it is also actually filling!
Something that I struggle with when it comes to lots of healthy meals is actually feeling full and satisfied afterwards (I'm looking at you courgetti), no problems with this meal though, and I enjoy eating it!
It is very simple to prepare, though not the quickest meal, as the lentils take a while to cook, and it does use several pans, but you can have the whole dish ready in about an hour or so.
Make sure that you cook the lentils and quinoa until they are just tender so that they retain a bit of texture and don't become mushy.
I steamed the vegetables but they would also be nice stir fried if you prefer; and you can vary them depending on what you have - broad beans or edamame would work well in place of the green beans, and roasted peppers and/or butternut squash would be really delicious.
I like to serve the salad with some grilled salmon, but I think it would also be good with chicken (maybe? dunno, pescatarian here, just guessing) or as a side at a barbecue; I also find that it is best served warm rather than piping hot or cold, but that is just a personal preference.
Quinoa, lentil, kale and feta salad recipe:
Quinoa, Lentil, Kale And Feta Salad With Salmon
Ingredients
- 110 g (4oz) dried green lentils
- 145 g (¾ cup) quinoa
- 360 ml (1 ½ cups) vegetable stock
- 150 g (5oz) broccoli, chopped into small florets
- 150 g (5oz) chopped curly kale
- 120 g (4.5oz) green beans, chopped
- 4 spring onions finely chopped
- 3 garlic cloves crushed
- juice of 1 large lemon
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- handful finely chopped fresh parsley
- 200 g (7oz) feta cheese
- salt and pepper
- 4 salmon fillets
Instructions
- Rinse the lentils then place them in a saucepan, cover with plenty of cold water then bring up to the boil; boil rapidly for 10 minutes then turn down to a simmer and cook for a further 30 minutes or so, until tender but not mushy. Drain well then tip into a large bowl and set aside.
- Rinse the quinoa and place it in a pan with the vegetable stock, bring up to the boil then turn down to a simmer, cover and cook for about 15 minutes, until all the water has evaporated. Remove from the heat and leave to stand (covered) for a further 10 minutes, until tender. Tip into the bowl with the lentils.
- Place the broccoli, kale and green beans in a pan with a splash of water, bring up to the boil, cover and steam for about 10 minutes, until the vegetables are tender. Drain well and add to the bowl along with the spring onions.
- Add the garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, parsley and seasoning to the bowl, toss everything together well then crumble in the feta and mix again.
- Fry the salmon fillets for a couple of minutes on each side, or until cooked to your liking. Serve with the warm salad.
I am sharing this with Saucy Saturdays hosted by The Flavour Bender, Take Two Tapas, La Petit Chef and Mid-Life Croissant, Fiesta Friday hosted by The Brook Cook and Little Sweet Baker, Foodie FriDIY, Foodie Friends Friday and Friday Features
Angela - Patisserie Makes Perfect
This looks really tasty Hannah. I love salmon and feta - I'll have to make this.
hannahhossack
Thanks Angela 🙂 If I make healthy dinners like this then I feel less guilty about all the cake... x
Eb Gargano
This looks so gorgeous and healthy! Love the combination of feta and lentils...they work so well together, don't they? I made a salad last week involving feta and lentils that included beetroot in the mix, which works really well, but I love your idea of using kale and salmon - yum!
hannahhossack
Thank you! I love cheesy lentils! That sounds really tasty, beetroot with feta is delicious 🙂
Girl and the Kitchen
This looks ridiculously clean and healthy!!! And the colors are just gorgeous! I could definitely see myself making this at home for myself and the fan!
hannahhossack
It is so so healthy, but the flavours are delicious as well (especially the feta 😛 ) Thanks Mila x
Elinor Hill aka Beachhutcook
That's will do me for Mother's Day. Might just print out your recipe and leave lurking around the kitchen as a heavy hint! Lovely post. Elinor x
hannahhossack
Haha! That's a cunning plan! Hope it works for you! 🙂 x
Lily
That looks absolutely delicious and I love that is it healthy too. I find it hard to pair tasty and healthy together, but you've certainly done it. Thanks for sharing and happy FF!
hannahhossack
Thanks Lily 🙂 It can be difficult to make healthy meals that are actually tasty, adding cheese helps though!
Unwed Housewife
That looks wonderful. I would lot to eat it right now for lunch! I came across your post looking through recipes on Fiesta Friday. Have a great weekend!
hannahhossack
Thank you! It makes a fantastic lunch!
Josette@thebrookcook
Healthy and beautiful. Lovely!
hannahhossack
Thanks Josette 🙂
Corina
I love all the green vegetables and the cheese. I have to say I think nothing could be boring or bland if there's a bit of feta in there! I've never tried the 5:2 diet but I'm sure I wouldn't have lasted even 1 fast day!
hannahhossack
Cheese definitely stops anything from being bland! I found fast days horrific... I was so grumpy, never trying it again!
Indu
This looks wonderful and so healthy! I like that you added lentils to quinoa.
hannahhossack
Thanks Indu 🙂 They work really well together, and are so healthy!