French Lentil With Broccolini Eggs (Printable Version)

Nutrient-rich French lentils with crisp broccolini, soft eggs, and Dijon vinaigrette.

# What You Need:

→ Lentils and Vegetables

01 - 1 cup French green lentils, rinsed
02 - 1 bay leaf
03 - 8 oz broccolini, trimmed and halved
04 - 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
05 - 1 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley, roughly chopped

→ Eggs

06 - 4 large eggs

→ Vinaigrette

07 - 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
09 - 1 tsp Dijon mustard
10 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
11 - 1/2 tsp sea salt
12 - 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper

→ To Finish

13 - 1/4 cup crumbled goat cheese or feta (optional)
14 - Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine lentils, bay leaf, and 4 cups water in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 20–25 minutes until lentils are just tender. Drain well, discard bay leaf, and set aside.
02 - Bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccolini and blanch for 2–3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain immediately and rinse under cold water to stop cooking process.
03 - Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Gently lower eggs in and simmer for exactly 7 minutes. Transfer eggs to an ice bath for 2 minutes, then peel carefully.
04 - In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper until emulsified.
05 - Add warm lentils, broccolini, red onion, and parsley to the bowl with vinaigrette. Toss gently to combine and coat evenly.
06 - Divide salad among plates. Halve the soft-cooked eggs and place on top. Sprinkle with goat cheese or feta if using. Finish with extra cracked pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The lentils stay perfectly tender while holding their shape, giving each bite a satisfying texture
  • Soft cooked eggs create a creamy sauce that brings everything together
  • You can serve it warm, room temperature, or cold making it impossibly flexible
02 -
  • Do not overcook the lentils or they will become mushy and lose their wonderful texture
  • The ice bath step is crucial for stopping the eggs from cooking further
  • Dressing the lentils while they are still warm helps them absorb more flavor
03 -
  • Taste the lentils after 20 minutes and every minute thereafter to catch them at perfect tenderness
  • Room temperature ingredients absorb the vinaigrette more evenly than cold ones
Return