This scrumptious multi layered party in your mouth salad is absolutely packed with health benefits. The lemon juice and herbs are ineradicable alkalizes and packed with vitamin C. The lentils and brown rice are now in calories and high in fiber and nutrients wonderful for digestive health. The nuts and olive oil are great sources of good fats. The traditional version originated in Cyprus Greece hence the name Cypriot. I think this is a great healthy and sure fire hit of a dish to contribute to a pot luck dinner, summer gathering, whatever.
So…. promised, my take on the traditional Cypriot salad:
What you’ll need:
1 bunch coriander, chopped
1/2 bunch parsley, chopped
1/2 red onion, finely diced
1 cup brown rice (or freeka or quinoa)
1/2 cup Puy lentils (Small black lentils)
2 tbsp toasted almonds
2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
2 tbsp baby capers
1/2 cup currants
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tbsp extra virgin olive
Sea salt to taste
1 pomegranate, de-seeded, to serve (I did not use this last night however if you can find one it is a DELICIOUS addition)
1/2 bunch parsley, chopped
1/2 red onion, finely diced
1 cup brown rice (or freeka or quinoa)
1/2 cup Puy lentils (Small black lentils)
2 tbsp toasted almonds
2 tbsp toasted pine nuts
2 tbsp baby capers
1/2 cup currants
Juice of 1 lemon
3 tbsp extra virgin olive
Sea salt to taste
1 pomegranate, de-seeded, to serve (I did not use this last night however if you can find one it is a DELICIOUS addition)
Dressing
1 blended avocado (Traditionally you would use greek yoghurt)
10 leaves mint finely chopped (Traditionally tsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground)
1 tbsp real maple syrup
1 blended avocado (Traditionally you would use greek yoghurt)
10 leaves mint finely chopped (Traditionally tsp cumin seeds, toasted and ground)
1 tbsp real maple syrup
What to do:
Soak the finely chopped onion in the lemon juice leave aside until you combine the salad (This is a great tip for all times you use raw onion in a recipe. The Lemon juice breaks down the sulfur compounds taking away the pungent taste and making them more digestible)
Blanch lentils separately in boiling water until just cooked.
Cook Brown rice in water until all water soaked up.
Drain well and allow to cool.
Mix the blended avocado, mint and honey and 1 tsp lemon juice until combined and set aside.
In a medium bowl, place the coriander, parsley, red onion, rice, lentils, toasted nuts, capers, currants, lemon juice and olive oil. Mix well and season with good quality mineral rich salt eg. Himalayan rock salt to taste.
Place into serving dish and top with (Avocado mint creme or cumin yoghurt).
What did you think of this recipe? Have you ever made or eaten Cypriot Salad before? please leave a comment bellow. I would love to hear from you.
x Natural Harry