A Salad Without a Name

So I haven't posted in AGES. I could bore you with the details of how I now have a job and was too lazy/tired to document recipes for a while, but instead I'll just get on with it. Here's a salad recipe!

Serves 2-4 (2 as a main meal, 4 as a side dish) 

Ingredients:

2-3 tbsp olive oil

2-3 tbsp white wine vinegar

1 onion, finely chopped

1-2 cloves of crushed garlic

handful of cherry tomatoes, chopped into halves/quarters

kale (as much as you want! I went with about half a bag first time round but think I'll do more next time 'cos I'm obsessed)

handful of black olives

400g drained can of butter beans or similar bean (could alternatively use 125g of dried beans and soak them beforehand)

100g puy lentils

 salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Rinse, drain, and boil the lentils for 20 minutes or until soft enough to eat (unlike most lentils, puy lentils retain their shape when cooked so eat a few to check they're soft).
2. Gently boil the kale for 5 minutes, co-ordinating it with the lentils so they're done at the same time.
3. Heat approx 1 tbsp oil in a pan and add the garlic, drained lentils and kale. Mix together so everything is coated in oil. Lightly fry for 5 minutes then leave to cool.
4. Once the lentil/kale mixture has cooled, transfer to a big bowl and add all the other ingredients, mixing thoroughly so they are coated in the dressing. Chill then serve!

This is a wonderfully refreshing and filling salad, I recommend making a big batch in advance and using it for quick, nutritious lunches!