Spicy Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese and Lentil Salad
Hubby and I have been on a big lentil kick. They’re so easy to make, great for you, and delicious. I saw this salad recently on Smitten Kitchen and knew I needed to make it this week. I used the lentils I had on hand, so I didn’t get the pretty black and orange salad that Deb got, but that’s ok, it’s still pretty freaking awesome.
Hubby and I really enjoyed this salad. It’s very hearty and filling. We ate it for a midafternoon snack and almost didn’t need dinner that night. I’ve written the recipe as I made it below, be sure to click through to Smitten Kitchen to get the original recipe.
This is unfortunately one of those dishes that is difficult to get a great photo of… But it’s really good so I had to post about it. Don’t hate on lentils just because they’re not pretty!
One Year Ago: Apple Cranberry Cake Pie
Two Years Ago: Pie Crust
Spicy Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese, and Lentil Salad
Yield: 3-6
Ingredients:
3/4 cup black or green lentils
6 cups peeled, seeded and cubed butternut squash or sugar pumpkin (1-inch cubes)
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup soft crumbled goat cheese
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar, plus additional to taste
~1/2 cup toasted pumpkin seeds
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss squash with 2 tablespoons oil, cumin, paprika and salt. Arrange in a single layer on baking sheet and roast 20 minutes. Flip pieces and roast for an additional 10 to 15 minutes, until tender. Cool.
Meanwhile, soak lentils for 10 minutes in a small bowl, then drain. Cook lentils in boiling salted water until tender but firm, about 30 minutes. Rinse with cold water, then drain and cool.
Combine lentils, squash, half of goat cheese, vinegar, and 1 tablespoon oil. Season with salt and pepper and extra vinegar, if desired. Serve with remaining goat cheese to sprinkle.
Recipe adapted from Smitten Kitchen, originally from Bon Appetit
Boston area readers, don’t forget that I’m selling pies for Pie In the Sky. The cost of your pie will feed someone in need for an entire week! Please consider buying a pie for a good cause.
I am Jen the Beantown Baker. Engineer by day and baking maven by night. Hubby serves as my #1 fan and official taste tester. We got hitched back in 2006. Barefoot. In the sand. With the waves crashing behind us. It was one of the best decisions we’ve ever made. 
Raspberry and chipotle! what a combo. I love this idea. I could put chipotle in anything and be happy.
beantownbaker — January 22nd, 2014 @ 9:37 pm
Chipotle is a flavor I’m learning to love as I use it more and more!
Holy yum! This jam reminds me of the sauce in one of my favorite appetizers from a little restaurant in Kansas. It was raspberry chipotle sauce combined with cream cheese and black beans, and it was served warm with tortilla chips. The best!
beantownbaker — January 23rd, 2014 @ 2:15 pm
Is it So Long Saloon by chance?…
If so, check back on Tuesday…
beantownbaker — January 23rd, 2014 @ 2:17 pm
BTW, I just saw in your bio that you went to Purdue – I did too! Aero engineering for me. Crazy about that shooting this week…
Yes, So Long Saloon! We lived in Manhattan for a few years while my husband worked on his PhD. Can’t wait to see what you’ve cooked up on Tuesday!
Goodness, what a coincidence that you are a Purdue alumna too! Yes, so crazy and so sad.
this is definitely one i’ll need to make, great flavor combo 🙂
Oh gosh, this is such a fun flavor combination 🙂 I can’t wait to try this out!
I am super excited to try this recipe out. I love idea of the sweet of the fruit and the heat of the pepper. I will let you know how mine turns out.
*I just moved to Boston which is how I found your website. I’m sorta sad that you moved back to Ohio because I would love to meet you. 😀
beantownbaker — September 12th, 2014 @ 10:40 pm
Hope it turns out well for you! We love this jam. It’s really good on a breakfast sandwich.
Oh, yum! I’m a great fan of using jams, marmalades and chutneys with meat in the crockpot or as a glaze on roasts. This would be perfect on a pork tenderloin.
how do you make it without the jam maker? I have a breadmaking machine that can make jelly, would it work about the same?
Are there any water bath instructions?
Thats look so delicious.. nice sharing
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