Instant Pot Warm Lentil Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette - A Healthy and Flavorful Dish

This Instant Pot Warm Lentil Salad with Dijon Vinaigrette is a delicious and healthy dish that is packed with flavor. The lentils are cooked to perfection in the Instant Pot, resulting in a tender and hearty texture. The tangy and zesty Dijon vinaigrette adds a burst of flavor to the salad. It is a perfect side dish or a light lunch or dinner option. With a prep time of just 10 minutes and a cooking time of 20 minutes, this recipe is quick and easy to make. It is also vegan and gluten-free, making it suitable for a variety of dietary needs.

Ingredients

• 1 cup dried green lentils
• 2 cups vegetable broth
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 2 carrots, sliced
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Rinse the lentils under cold water and drain well.
2. In the Instant Pot, combine the lentils and vegetable broth.
3. Close the lid and set the pressure valve to sealing.
4. Cook on high pressure for 10 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally for 5 minutes before manually releasing the remaining pressure.
5. While the lentils are cooking, prepare the Dijon vinaigrette by whisking together the lemon juice, Dijon mustard, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.
6. Once the pressure has been released from the Instant Pot, open the lid and drain any excess liquid from the lentils.
7. Transfer the cooked lentils to a large mixing bowl and let them cool for a few minutes.
8. Add the chopped red onion, diced bell pepper, sliced carrots, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped parsley to the bowl with the lentils.
9. Pour the Dijon vinaigrette over the lentil mixture and toss gently to combine.
10. Season with additional salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
11. Serve the warm lentil salad immediately as a side dish or a light main course.
12. Enjoy!

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