Cypriot Lentil and Olive Salad

About This Recipe

Cypriot Lentil and Olive Salad is a Cypriot salad with measured ingredients, clear heat levels, practical timing and recipe-specific doneness checks.

Equipment

• ✓ Chef knife and chopping board
• ✓ Large mixing bowl
• ✓ Small whisking bowl
• ✓ Whisk or fork

Ingredients

• 450 g cooked brown lentils
• 120 g Cypriot olives
• 200 g tomato
• 150 g cucumber
• 80 g red onion
• 45 ml olive oil
• 30 ml lemon juice
• 8 g sea salt
• 3 g black pepper
• 15 g fresh herbs

Easy Step-by-Step Method

Complete one numbered step before moving to the next. Keep the heat and timing exactly as written.

1. Prepare the workspace: Read the full recipe, weigh the ingredients and prepare a large bowl and a small whisking bowl.
2. Wash and dry: Wash all produce and dry it completely so the dressing clings rather than becoming watery.
3. Prepare the main ingredients: Cut the ingredients for Cypriot Lentil and Olive Salad into even bite-size pieces, keeping delicate fruit or avocado separate until the end.
4. Cook the warm component: Cook any grain, potato, lentil or protein until correctly done, then drain and cool until only slightly warm.
5. Make the dressing: Whisk the listed oil, acid, mustard or tahini, salt and pepper until lightly emulsified.
6. Dress the firm ingredients: Toss the firm vegetables and cooked grain or beans with two-thirds of the dressing.
7. Add delicate ingredients: Fold in leaves, fruit, herbs and other delicate ingredients without crushing them.
8. Taste properly: Taste one complete forkful and adjust acidity, salt and pepper.
9. Add garnish: Finish with the listed nuts, seeds, croutons or herbs.
10. Serve promptly: Serve within 10 minutes for the best texture.

Chef Notes & Tips

Chef tip: keep every component of Cypriot Lentil and Olive Salad fully plant-based. Check labels on stock, curry paste, pastry, noodles and sauces to confirm that every component is certified plant-based. Weigh ingredients before starting and adjust salt only after tasting.

Ingredient Substitutions

• ↔ Vegetable stock → unsalted homemade vegetable broth
• ↔ Coconut cream → unsweetened oat or soy cream
• ↔ Plant yogurt → unsweetened soy or coconut yogurt
• ↔ Maple syrup → date syrup or agave syrup

Food Safety & Doneness

Use clean boards and utensils, wash produce thoroughly and refrigerate cooked food within 2 hours. Check packaged stock, sauces, pastry and noodles and use only products clearly labelled plant-based.

Serving & Plating

Use a wide chilled plate, distribute colour and texture evenly and add the final garnish after dressing.

Storage

Store undressed components separately in sealed containers for up to 2 days. Add dressing and delicate garnishes only before serving.

Nutrition & Dietary Information

Calories: 350 kcal

Protein: 15 g

Carbohydrates: 50 g

Fat: 14 g

Approximate nutrition per serving; values vary with brands, trimming and serving size.