Last week my girlfriends and I got together for a usual potluck-style hangout. Only this time, someone suggested we bring something from our heritage. The conversation quickly became comical as some of us questioned our backgrounds or bounced off seemingly strange dish ideas. But one thing was very clear: the challenge was to be accepted.

I’m half Italian, with the other half being a mix of European decent. (Some French? Some English? We aren’t totally sure.) Well, you can clearly tell by the picture that I went with an Italian-inspired lentil salad and it did not disappoint. It’s super hearty, bursting with flavor, and full of nutrients! We ended up having so much fun and getting to sample all kinds of different foods– my preferred way to dine always. Let’s just say I unbuttoned my pants before dessert.

I don’t have specific measurements because 1. I didn’t measure or plan on sharing and 2. It doesn’t really matter. You can mix up as much or as little as you want– it’s more just about the combination of ingredients that are trulyyyy divine. And if you make the lentils in advance, this salad will come together in minutes!

Ingredients

green lentils
arugula (or spinach)
sun-dried tomatoes
artichokes
pine nuts
gorgonzola or roquefort
capers

Instructions

Cook lentils and let cool completely (you can even do this a day in advance and store in the fridge). They do best with a 1:3 ratio with water or liquid. Bring to a boil and then simmer, covered, for about 30-40 minutes.
Chop artichokes into smaller chunks.
Combine arugula, chilled lentils, capers, tomatoes, artichokes, and pine nuts into a large bowl. Toss with dressing to combine.
Add blue cheese chunks on top. It’s great served right away, but can also last a couple of days in the fridge!