Mediterranean Lentil Salad (Easy and Economical!)

A quick, healthy and delicious salad is in order these days.  As the weather begins to warm up, I know "shorts weather" is almost here and it's time to really kick healthy eating into high gear!  This salad is good for you and economical!  We eat a lot of lentils through the Winter but I rarely experimented with them in salad...until now! 
 
Mediterranean Lentil Salad

1 cup dried lentils

1/2 large lemon, zested and juiced

2  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

splash red wine vinegar

big pinch of coarse salt and fresh ground pepper

1/2 red pepper, diced 

1/2 chopped red onion

handful of sliced black olives

1/2 seedless cucumber, small diced

4 oz crumbled feta

 

Instructions

1. Cook lentils according to directions.
2. Drain lentils well and place in a large glass mixing bowl. Add lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper to lentils and stir. Taste for seasoning and set aside to cool.
3. Add your diced vegetables (red pepper, onion and olives) to your bowl of lentils and combine. If serving immediately add cucumber and feta cheese. If not serving immediately you may want to add those right before serving. Taste for salt and pepper and enjoy!

This is a great salad when you want something a little different.  Makes a nice side dish as well!