Red Lentil Summer Salad

I recently read an article about great pasta substitutes and came across Red Lentils. They are high in protein while low in fat....perfect! I decided to use these lentils instead of orzo in a salad, it turned out wonderfully. Serves 4

Ingredients

1 cup red lentils 

2 cups water

1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped

1 large red pepper, chopped

12 cherry tomatoes, sliced into four pieces

6 baby carrots, chopped
1 green onion, light green parts diced

1/4 cup reduced fat feta, crumbled

*Dressing- combine:

1 tbsp olive oil

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar 

1 clove garlic, chopped

pepper to taste

(no salt needed because of the salt in the cheese)

In a large pot, boil water with lentils

Bring to a simmer and stir until all water is absorbed

Pour dressing over lentils

Stir and allow to cool

Meanwhile, chop vegetables

Mix in vegetables

Top with feta