Warm Chilli, Pumpkin and Lentil Salad

Serves 4

This salad is great served any time of the year. Eat it warm, straight from the oven in the winter, or serve it cold as a colourful addition to a summery feast.

Recipe and image from Eat In by Anna Gare, published by Murdoch Books $39.99. Photographer Ian Wallace.

Ingredients

• 1 butternut pumpkin (squash) (about 1 kg/2 lb 4 oz), peeled and roughly cut into 2.5 cm (1 inch) cubes
• 1 red chilli, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 210 g (7½ oz/1 cup) puy (tiny blue-green) lentils, rinsed
• 1 fresh bay leaf
• 1 litre (35 fl oz/4 cups) of water
• 1 cup coriander (cilantro) leaves
• DRESSING
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 teaspoon caster (superfine) sugar
• sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced lengthways
• 60 ml (2 fl oz/¼ cup) extra virgin olive oil



Cooking Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/Gas 4).

1. 2

   Put the pumpkin, chilli, garlic, ginger, peanut oil and salt and pepper in a large bowl and toss until well coated.

1. 3

   Spread evenly in a non-stick roasting tray (or use a roasting tray lined with baking paper), then roast for 30 minutes, or until the pumpkin is just cooked through but still firm.

1. 4

   Meanwhile, put the lentils and bay leaf in a saucepan with the water and a pinch of salt over medium heat. Cook for 20 minutes, or until soft to the bite, then drain.

1. 5

   Combine the pumpkin and lentils in a large bowl.

1. 6

   Whisk the lemon juice, sugar and salt and pepper for the dressing in a small bowl, then add the onion and set aside until ready to serve. This will soften the sharpness of the onion. When ready to dress the salad, whisk in the oil.

1. 7

   Just before serving, add the coriander to the pumpkin mixture, pour over the dressing and toss together.

1. 8

   NOTE: If you want to serve the salad cold, allow all of the ingredients to cool before combining.