Spicy Butternut Squash, Goat Cheese and Lentil Salad

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

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.

Side Dish

11 comments »

12 Responses to “Indian Spiced Beans”

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Fun and Fearless in Beantown — January 11, 2011 at 5:09 pm

This does look easy and the ingredients seem really flavorful! I love simple meals like this that have a lot of flavor and make great leftovers 🙂
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2

Melissa — January 11, 2011 at 5:26 pm

I love Indian Food! I totally agree about the smell of garam masala cooking!
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3

Daisy — January 11, 2011 at 6:28 pm

sounds like a delicious easy meal! Great to see you and hubby last night!
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4

Mom-in-law — January 11, 2011 at 8:52 pm

BB – what is garam masala? What spices are in it (maybe I can recreate with what I already have).
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5

In and Around Town — January 11, 2011 at 8:55 pm

Looks like an easier dinner made a bit more fun with the Indian twist!
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6

Jen — January 11, 2011 at 9:00 pm

Mom-in-law: I buy garam masala at a small Indian market near our place. I did a quick Google and came up with this recipe.
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Bridget — January 12, 2011 at 4:15 am

I love garam masala!!! It’s one of my favorite ingredients.
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We Are Not Martha — January 12, 2011 at 6:23 am

Yum! I love Indian food and this is a great way to make it at home without a whole lot of work. And pretty healthy, too 🙂

Sues
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9

Robo Stir — January 12, 2011 at 3:43 pm

These Indian spiced beans look great! Thanks so much for the recipe.
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Michal Najman — January 7, 2013 at 10:28 am
This will be cooked in Prague today with minor modifications 🙂 (Occhio beans..)
- beantownbaker — January 7th, 2013 @ 8:52 pm
  
  Oh fun! I hope you enjoy them.
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Rebecca Cooper — April 28, 2015 at 6:53 pm

Would be helpful if the can size of the tomatoes were provided.