Middle Eastern lentil salad recipe. Put the lentils in a large saucepan, cover with water and bring to the boil, skimming off any scum. Add the peeled garlic, cumin and lemon, then reduce the heat and simmer for about 3. Meanwhile, to make the dressing, put the lemon juice, oil, coriander, and salt and pepper to taste into a large salad bowl, and whisk together. Drain the lentils, discarding the lemon and garlic, and add them to the salad bowl. Toss gently to mix with the dressing. Add the onion, apricots, peppers and broccoli florets, and mix gently. Crumble the cheese over the top, scatter over the sunflower seeds and serve immediately. Some more ideas. Instead of goats cheese, top the salad with 4 sliced hard boiled eggs. Use 1. 50 g 5 oz frozen broad beans instead of broccoli florets. Cook the beans in boiling water for 5 minutes or until tender. Drain, then refresh under cold running water. Plus points. Like all pulses, lentils are a good source of soluble fibre, which can help to reduce high blood cholesterol levels. Lentils also offer protein, starchy carbohydrate and B vitamins. Dried apricots are an excellent source of beta carotene and a useful source of calcium. The sunflower was first brought to Europe around 1. Sunflower seeds are rich in healthy polyunsaturated fats and they are a good source of the antioxidant vitamin E, which helps to protect cell membranes from damage by free radicals and vitamin B1. Dark Chocolate Almond Bark. They also provide useful amounts of the minerals zinc, iron, copper, phosphorus, selenium and magnesium. Each serving provides. B1, B6, C, E, folate, niacin, iron, selenium A, B2, potassium, zinc B1.