Bacon & Beluga Lentil Salad

This is my favourite quick meal at the moment.

I dress some lovely fresh lettuce and any other green leaves I happen to have, such as rocket, lambs lettuce, or as in this case, pea shoots with a simple vinaigrette.

I fry some bacon bits until they are very crispy. 

Meanwhile, in a separate bowl I put in cubed tomatoes and cucumber, add the lentils, some finely sliced spring onions, fresh herbs (today I had Greek basil), a little pinch of salt and pepper.

Then I make another dressing, this time with balsamic vinegar and toss the tomato, cucumber and lentil combo until thoroughly coated. You don't need to make two dressings - I do because I don't like the brown look of balsamic on my lettuce.

I lay a bed of lettuce on a plate, then spoon over the tomato, cucumber and lentil mix and finally sprinkle with the crispy bacon bits. 

Delicious! 

The ingredient list below is just a guide - you can use different salad ingredients, quantities and dressings...it's up to you.

Bacon & Beluga Lentil Salad
Serves 2

Ingredients:
200g bacon lardons, fried until crispy
6 large lettuce leaves, shredded
large handful of pea shoots
2 x tomatoes cubed
1/4 cucumber, cubed
2 x spring onions, sliced
100g beluga lentils, cooked
2 tablespoons chopped Greek basil

Salt & pepper

Simple vinaigrette for lettuce & pea shoots:
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon whole grain mustard.

Balsamic Vinaigrette for Tomatoes, Cucumber & Lentil mix:
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Method:
Put the lettuce and pea shoots in a large bowl.
Mix together the ingredients for the simple vinaigrette until opaque.
Pour over the salad leaves and toss until all the leaves are glossy.
Divide between two plates.
Now mix together the chopped tomatoes, cucumber, spring onions, lentils and basil.
Season.
Make the balsamic dressing by simply mixing the vinegar and oil together.
Pour over the lentil mix and mix until all the ingredients are well coated.
Spoon over the lettuce.
Finish by sprinkling over the bacon.