French Lentil Salad With Broccolini and Soft-Cooked Eggs (Printable)

Tender lentils, broccolini, and jammy eggs with Dijon vinaigrette make a satisfying 45-minute dish perfect for any meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Lentils and Vegetables

01 - 1 cup French green lentils, rinsed
02 - 1 bay leaf
03 - 8 ounces broccolini, trimmed and halved
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

→ Eggs

06 - 4 large eggs

→ Vinaigrette

07 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ To Finish

13 - 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta, optional
14 - Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Combine lentils, bay leaf, and 4 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until lentils are just tender. Drain, discard bay leaf, and set aside.
02 - Bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccolini and blanch for 2-3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
03 - Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Gently lower eggs into the water and simmer for 7 minutes. Transfer eggs to an ice bath for 2 minutes, then peel carefully.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
05 - Add warm lentils, blanched broccolini, sliced red onion, and chopped parsley to the bowl with vinaigrette. Toss gently to combine and coat evenly.
06 - Divide salad among serving plates. Halve the soft-cooked eggs and place on top of each portion. Sprinkle with goat cheese or feta if using. Finish with additional cracked pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Nutrient-Dense: Packed with fiber and plant-based protein from lentils, plus vitamins from fresh broccolini.
  • Texture-Rich: A delightful mix of firm lentils, crunchy onion, and velvety egg yolks.
  • Versatile: Naturally gluten-free and easily adaptable for vegan diets.
02 -
  • Ice Bath: Always use an ice bath for the eggs to stop the cooking immediately and ensure the yolks stay perfectly jammy.
  • Warm Tossing: Mix the lentils with the vinaigrette while they are still warm so they absorb the dressing more effectively.
  • Cold Rinse: Rinsing the broccolini in cold water after blanching preserves its vibrant green color and crisp texture.
Go Back