Warm Salmon and Lentil Salad with Herbes de Provence Recipe on Food52 (2024)

This main-dish salad is bright, fresh, and sunny, like a little postcard from Provence on a cold winter’s day. At its heart, the recipe is a riff on two genius recipes: Sally Schneider’s Slow-Roasted Salmon and Peter Miller’s Lentils Folded into Yogurt, Spinach, and Basil, but using French flavors like Dijon mustard and herbes de Provence.

It’s a good one to pocket for when you want a salad that’s a little more put-together than the freewheeling grain bowls or clean-out-the-fridge salads that can land on the table on harried nights. And like the recipes that inspired it, this dish is virtually foolproof—meaning you can turn to it again and again this winter, or anytime of year. —EmilyC

Directions

1. Make the yogurt dressing: In a small bowl or jar, combine the shallots, lemon zest, lemon juice, herbes de Provence, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Let the shallots macerate in the acid for about 5 minutes to relax their pungency. Add the Dijon, yogurt, and extra-virgin olive oil, and whisk to combine (or put a lid on your jar and shake). Adjust seasoning and acidity, to taste. Dressing can be made in advance, and keeps well (tightly covered in the fridge) for one week.
2. Heat oven to 275F.
3. Make the Salmon rub: In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, Dijon, and herbes de Provence (listed under the salad ingredients) until well combined.
4. Brush a baking dish generously with olive oil, or line with foil. Arrange the salmon skin side-down in the dish. Sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper evenly over the flesh, then using the back of a spoon or your hands, evenly apply the rub. Roast for 20 to 35 minutes (cook time will depend on the salmon’s thickness), or until the fish is just beginning to flake and the tip of a knife slides through the flesh easily. (An instant-read thermometer should read 120F in the thickest part for medium-rare.). Once cool, break the salmon into irregular pieces.
5. Meanwhile, make the lentils: Place lentils and bay leaf in a saucepan and cover by at least 1 inch of water. Bring to a boil, then turn down the heat and simmer until the lentils are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes (or according to package directions). Add additional water, if needed, to keep the lentils covered. Drain well in a colander, discarding the bay leaf. Return the lentils to the pan. Immediately fold in 2 tablespoons of the yogurt dressing, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, and half the pine nuts. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
6. Let the lentils cool for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a large serving platter or bowl. Add the greens and about 1 tablespoon dressing, tossing well. Taste again, adding more salt, pepper, lemon juice, or dressing as needed, tasting and tinkering until you get the balance right.
7. Top lentils with salmon and remaining pine nuts. Drizzle more dressing over the salad. Serve warm.

Recipe by: EmilyC