Lentil Salad With Ham, Apples, Comté Cheese (Easy and Nutritious)
My French-inspired lentil salad is a must-try this fall or winter. Tossed in a zesty honey mustard dressing, it’s a hearty yet refreshing mix of sweet and savory flavors. Whether you’re craving a wholesome meal or a seasonal side dish, this delicious salad brings rustic, cozy vibes to your table.
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 1 ½ cups uncooked Le Puy or French green lentils 10 oz, 285g
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 small shallots or 1 large shallot, 1⁄4 cup minced
- 8 oz thick slice of ham 1 ½-2 cups cubed, 225g
- 8 oz firm red apple 1 ½-2 cups cubed, 225g
- 5 oz Comté cheese 1 ½-2 cups cubed, 140g
- handful of chopped walnuts optional
For the dressing:
- ½-1 Tbsp Dijon mustard adjust depending on the sharpness of your mustard
- 2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 2 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1 Tbsp fresh thyme plus more for serving
- salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the lentils: Rinse under cold water and add to a saucepan with 3 cups of water or broth, the bay leaf, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer gently until the lentils are al-dente and the water is absorbed, stirring occasionally. Let the lentils cool.
- Prepare the other ingredients: Mince the shallots. Trim any fat from the ham and cube it into ¾-inch pieces. Dice the apple and Comté cheese into similarly sized cubes to match the ham. If using, chop and toast the walnuts on a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often until golden and fragrant.
- Prepare the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, olive oil, honey, lemon juice, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper to make the dressing. Adjust seasoning to taste. Add the mustard a little at a time, until you reach your desired sharpness.
- Combine and enjoy!: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooled lentils, shallots, ham, apple, Comté, and walnuts. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss until evenly coated.
Notes
This salad tastes even better the next day as the flavors continue to deepen, making it perfect for leftovers or meal prepping.