This is perfect way of enjoying all the wonderful winter flavors that are around this time of year. Great texture, warming flavors and lots of healthy goodies in one plate is how I would describe this pretty salad. I used one of my favorite grains, naked oats, and beluga lentils as the base for this salad. The naked oats needs to soak for a few hours before cooking, so this one needs a bit of preparation. But it’s well worth it! I often cook a lot (both naked oats and beluga lentils) at the same time and store some in the fridge. Then I have a great base for all sorts of salads at any time.

Crispy-on-the-outside-soft-on-the-inside-carrots, crispy kale, soft and warming apples, nutty pecans and sweet cranberries all add to the whole winter feeling in this salad. I finished it all off with another thing I always have in the fridge – my herb dressing. It’s super easy and makes any sallad or dish really yummy.

Serve the salad as it is or with a piece of goat cheese, or as a side salad to your winter dinner. Why not put in on your christmas dinner table? I hope you really enjoy it! 

Beluga lentil and naked oats salad with cinnamon roasted carrots, black kale and pecans

Serves 4

Ingredients

1 dl beluga lentils

1 dl naked oats

4 medium sized carrots

250 grams black kale

2-3 garden apples

50 grams pecan nuts (approx. 1 dl)

60 grams dried cranberries (approx. 1 dl), preferably without sugar

Herb dressing

1 dl cold pressed rapeseed oil

1/2 garlic clove

1 tsp lime juice

1 dl of your favorite fresh herbs (or 3 tbsp frozen)

sea salt, black pepper to taste

How to

Preheat the oven to 225 degrees celsius. Cook the naked oats and beluga lentils according to the instructions on the packaging (naked oats needs to soak for at least one hour before cooking).

Peel and cut the carrots in to chuncks. Drizzle with olive oil, season with salt and pepper. Wash and tear the black kale in to bits, massage with olive oil, salt and pepper. Cut the apples in to chunks and season with cinnamon. Put the carrots on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for about 25 minutes. Turn the carrots half way through. When 10 minutes remains, lower the temperature to 200 degrees, and add the black kale and apples. Bake until the kale are crisp.

Mix all the ingredients for the herb dressing in a mixer, or using a immersion blender. 

Mix the roasted carrots, kale and apples with the naked oats and beluga lentils. Put on a big plate, sprinkle with pecans and dried cranberries. Drizzle with the herb dressing. Serve and enjoy!