LENTIL AND PEPPER SALAD




Ingredients
300 g / 1 1/2 cups black beluga lentils (use puy lentils if not available) , soaked in water overnight and drained 4 red bell peppers, deseeded and halved.
3 tbsp olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Small handful arugula (rocket), rinsed and dried
20 g / 1/4 cup hard cheese shavings Salt and freshly ground pepper

Method : Prep and cook time: 1 hour plus 12 hours soaking time
1.    Preheat the oven to 220C (400F / Gas Mark 6).
2.    Boil the lentils until soft (about 40 minutes) and drain.
3.    Lay the bell peppers skin side up on a cookie sheet lined with baking parchment and bake for about 10 minutes until the skin begins to blister and turn black.
4.    Remove the peppers from the oven, cover with a damp dish towel and let cool. Once cooled, peel the skin off the peppers.
5.    Chop the peppers into slices, heat the oil in a skillet and fry the pepper strips.
6.  Add the garlic and continue frying for a few minutes. Season with salt and pepper then remove from the heat and let cool slightly.
7.  Stir in the balsamic vinegar and lentils and season to taste.
8.  Arrange the salad on plates, top with arugula (rocket) and cheese shavings and serve warm.