Lentil salad

I've sort of gone from cookie to salad recipes and 'The Girl With The Spatula' is kind of becoming 'The Girl With The Fork.' When I told my mom I was planning on making a lentil salad, she told me to only make enough for myself because I'd be the only one in the family that would be interested in it, but in the end, she approved and liked it! This salad has a great blend of spices in the dressing which gives it sort of a middle eastern taste and the sweetness of the raisins compliment it really well.

Lentil Salad

Recipe adapted from My New Roots.

- 2 1/2 c. cooked lentils

- 1/2 large red pepper- chopped

- 1 cup of raisins or craisins

- 1/4 c. chopped basil ( or cilantro or any other herb would work)

- 1/2 c. sunflower seeds

dressing:

- 1/3c. olive oil

- 1/4c. apple cider vinegar

- 1 tbsp of maple syrup or another liquid sweetener

- 1 tbsp mustard

- 1 tsp salt

- 1/4 tsp. pepper ( or more)

- 1 tsp ground cumin

- 1/2 tsp turmeric

- 1/2 tsp ground coriander

- 1/2 tsp ground cardamom

- 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper ( optional)

- 1/4 tsp ground cloves

- 1/4 tsp nutmeg

- 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Toss together all the salad ingredients. In a separate bowl whisk together the ingredients for the vinaigrette and mix with the salad. I only ended up using half the dressing so just adjust it to your tastes.

Enjoy!