Saturday, January 14, 2017

Rainbow Lentil, Black Bean and Veggie Salad #giveaway #vegetables @AbbottMysteries



Welcome back to our Eat Your Rainbow Veggie Challenge!  Despite our photo, the New Year is not all about partying on.  






Many of us are trying to put the holidays and all the extra celebration foods out of our minds and get back to healthier eating (and possibly looser waistbands).  Veggies can make all the difference in this plan so you can feel full and still meet your goals.  Today we are featuring a salad that is not only a rainbow in itself, but also can be a vegetarian meal or an excellent side for meat, fish or chicken. It's full of vitamins and minerals and is quite nice to look at.   It makes a lot and is even better on the second day.  We often take it as our contribution to a pot luck and we are usually asked to bring it to family events. You can add any other veggies that you want.  Have fun with it!  Don’t forget to comment today to be entered in our on-going veggie challenge to win this elegant and useful platter.



Every time you comment, your name goes in the hat.   Some of you have lots of chances already. 



Rainbow Lentil, Black Bean and Veggie Salad

1 can of lentils, rinsed and drained
1 can of black beans, rinsed and drained
1 red pepper or yellow pepper, seeded and chopped
3-4 green onions – thinly sliced
2 small tomatoes seeded and chopped
2/3  cup (or so) chopped celery
2/3  cup chopped carrots
1 tbsp finely chopped parsley
4 to 6 ounces of Feta cheese (crumbled)
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 apple cider vinegar
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Juice of one lemon or lime
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon maple syrup
½ tsp freshly ground pepper just before serving


Combine oil, vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, sea salt, Dijon, parsley and maple syrup in a small pitcher and whisk to combine until nice and thick.


Rinse and drain lentils and black beans. This gets rid of extra salt.




 Place in a salad bowl. Add tomatoes to beans. 



 Add green onions, pepper, celery and carrots. Mix well.







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Add dressing and combine well.  Mix in crumbled Feta.  Finish off with pepper.  

Enjoy!  Let the fresh flavors give you a boost on a dark winter night.




Speaking of boosting our spirits on dark winter days and nights, there is nothing quite like a cozy mystery to do that.  We hope The Hammett Hex, our fifth Book Collector mystery will do that for you.   We've done our best to get the flavor of Hammett's San Francisco into the narrative.





The Hammett Hex came out in October, but it's still nice and fresh.
If you don't have it yet,  here's your chance:


 CLICK HERE or ask your favorite bookseller

 And: 


CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE TRAILER


If you haven't read any of the others in the series, they're all available in print, e-book and audio.  Something for everyone!


  

Don't forget to come and visit us on Facebook!  CLICK HERE to find us.

Have a wonderful reading  January everyone!

  





41 comments:

  1. Beautiful, nourishing salad! EMS591@aol.com

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  2. Would it work without the cheese?
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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    1. Sandy, sometimes we forget to put in the Feta cheese, so yes, it would work. You might add a bit more salt or some lemon to give it a bit of tang. Or not. Hope you like it!

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  3. Great for my vegetarian visitors and n easy supper for us.

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    1. Hope you like it! And yes, the vegetarians will be happy.

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  4. I haven't seen canned lentils around here, but I haven't looked for them. I'll have to try this. It looks like something I'd enjoy.

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    1. We usually find them with the canned beans. You could use dried also after soaking them. Cheers!

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  5. I don't think I've ever seen lentils in a can...must look for them. This recipe does look good and I plan to share it with my vegetarian sister; the only thing she ever brings to family gatherings is a kale salad!!!

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  6. I am slowly changing to more vegetable recipies. This is so much better for a diabetic like myself. This recipie is great. I have found canned lentils at a Eden store.

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    1. We find veggies and legumes really help with blood sugar levels. Hope you enjoy this. You could use dried lentils, soaked as well.

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  7. Sounds like a delicious but healthy salad! I almost never use lentils but I like them so will have to try your recipe. Thanks for sharing! kimdavishb (at) gmail (dot) com

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    1. Let us know what you think, Kim! We know you're a whizz in the kitchen. Hugs.

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  8. Lovely salad. Dmskrug3 at hotmail dot com

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  9. Sigh, must eat healthier. Thanks for the recipe for something different. A girl can only eat so much kale.
    sallycootie@gmail.com

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    1. Kale IS a four letter word, Sally! I must learn to like it. Hugs.

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  10. That do look good. And a colorful dish looks more appetizing Della at deepotter (at) peoplepc ((dot) com

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  11. What a healthy salad, plus I love feta cheese. I'm trying to eat better this year, so thank you for the recipe. Mbcncc@gmail.com

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    1. Hope it helps, Mary! It did help us get back to normal.
      Cheers.

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  12. Love this salad! Looks yummy zeta(at)iwon(dot)com

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  13. I'm going to try this. It looks so good!

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  14. Love salads. Thanks fir sharing this with us.
    Jhdwayne(at)peoplepc(dot)com

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    1. We love salads too. Thanks for coming by, Deana. Cheers.

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  15. Yum! I think the maple syrup will add a nice layer of flavor.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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    1. We are crazy about maple syrup and use it wherever honey or sweetener is called for. Yum indeed.

      Cheers.

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  16. That sounds delicious!
    The lentils looks golden. Is it the lighting or the type?

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    1. They are a light brown color, so it must be the lighting. It's always an issue in my kitchen. Hugs.

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    2. Hugs to you, too.
      Aren't lentils great? I have a lentil bolognese recipe Quite yummy.

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  17. This sounds delicious. I've copied it down!

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  18. The salad sounds amazing, I think I'll make it this week. Enjoy your books, Thanks for the chance.
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. Thanks for the boost, Dianne! Good luck with salad and draw. Best!

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  19. I copied it to try - looks very good.

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  20. The salad looks absolutely wonderful. I can't wait to try it!!

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  21. Will add all these veggies to my shopping list for Sprouts tomorrow, it looks delicious!

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