Spinach-Apricot Salad with Spiced Lentils

A creamy lentil mixture combines with mild spinach and tangy dried apricots in this salad flavored with allspice and cinnamon. When shopping for lentils, head to the bulk bins, where turnover is higher and lentils are likely to be fresher than prepackaged options.

By Nancy Macklin, RDN,

Ingredients

  • 3 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
  • 1½ cups dry red or brown lentils
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1 15-oz. can no-salt-added garbanzo beans (chickpeas)
  • ¼ cup sliced scallions (green onions)
  • 6 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 4 to 6 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  • ½ teaspoon ground allspice
  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 6 cups fresh baby spinach
  • ⅔ cup thinly sliced dried apricots
  • ¼ cup coarsely chopped pistachios

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan bring broth, lentils, and garlic to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer until lentils are tender (3 to 5 minutes for red lentils or 15 to 20 minutes for brown lentils). Transfer lentils to a bowl. Drain garbanzo beans, reserving liquid (aquafaba). Add beans and scallions to lentils.
  • In a small bowl stir together 6 tablespoons of the aquafaba, the lemon juice, mint, allspice, and cinnamon. Pour over lentil mixture; stir to coat. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and chill 1 to 8 hours.
  • To serve, let lentil mixture stand at room temperature 25 to 30 minutes. Arrange spinach on a large platter or in a serving bowl. Spoon lentil mixture over spinach. Sprinkle with apricots and pistachios. If desired, top with additional mint.

Comments (2)

(5 from 2 votes)

Recipe Rating

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Anne

Will definitely try and give feed back.

Jules

This was delicious and easy to make. The flavors were amazing. I'm not adventurous so this was a big leap out of my comfort zone and I am so glad I tried it! It is on my rotation now!

About the Author

Headshot of Nancy Macklin

About the Author

Nancy Macklin, RDN

Nancy Macklin has a bachelor of science in dietetics from Iowa State University and a Master of Science in health services administration from the University of Saint Francis. Macklin worked as a hospital-based clinical dietitian, providing counseling for diabetes, heart disease, and weight loss and as a food service director in health care dining sites. She now serves as a test kitchen dietitian, developing 500+ recipes per year. She is a member of the Academy for Nutrition and Dietetics and International Association of Culinary Professionals. Find her on LinkedIn.
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