Lentil and Strawberry Salad with Pepper-Crusted Tuna

May 16, 2011 Posted by Lauren Keating under Fish and Seafood, Salads, Shawn's Favorites, Sides, Special Occasions, Summer
16 Comments

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When strawberries are in season, I just can’t get enough. Which is probably why my mind immediately went to them as I was dreaming up lentil recipes last weekend. I hesitated for a second, then added the ingredients to my list.
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I’ll admit that I was a little apprehensive about how my strawberry and lentil salad with peppered tuna would come out. All of the ingredients seemed like they would work — strawberries, basil, black, pepper and balsamic vinegar are all amazing together — but I couldn’t help worry that the final dish would be a dud. I worried that it would be bland. Boring. Imagining final dish made me drool, but I worried that I wouldn’t be able to translate it into an edible dinner.
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I shouldn’t have worried. This dish surpassed even my wildest dreams. Bursting with flavor, it was anything but boring. I couldn’t help but smile as I ate — this meal could easily have made an appearance on a menu at the best restaurant in town. I had seconds of the salad. Shawn had seconds of the salad (which is saying a lot, considering it was undeniably healthy).
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I always tell people not to be intimidated by cooking, that if something sounds good it probably will be. And that if it’s not, the worst that will happen is that they’ll end up throwing it out and ordering take-out. That anyone can cook food that is healthy and delicious. I guess I need to take my own advice.

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Lentil and Strawberry Salad with Pepper-Crusted Tuna

Prep time 10 minutes, Total Time 50 minutes.
Serves 2.

  • 1/2 cup Lentils
  • 1 cup Water
  • 2 cups Chopped Strawberries (about 8 large berries)
  • 2 Tbs diced Red Onion
  • 1 Lemon, Juiced
  • 1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar
  • 1 pinch Sugar
  • 1 Tbs Olive Oil
  • 8 ounce Tuna Steak
  • 2 Tbs crushed Black Pepper*
  • 1 handfull Basil, chiffonade (about 1/4 cup unpacked leaves)

Add lentils and water to a small saucepan set over medium heat. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until lentils are tender and all of the water has been absorbed. Remove from heat and stir in the strawberries, red onion, and lemon juice. Refrigerate for at least 20 minutes.

While the salad cools, prepare the balsamic reduction: Add the vinegar and sugar to a small pan and bring to a boil. Once the vinegar starts to bubble, lower the heat to medium. Cook until the vinegar has reduced to about 2 Tablespoons – this should take about 5 minutes,

Gently press the black pepper into one side of the tuna steak. Heat the olive oil in a large pan. Add the tuna to the pan, peppered side down. Cook 2 minutes. Flip. Cook another 2-3 minutes or until it reaches your preferred level of doneness.

Stir the basil into the lentil and strawberry salad. Season to taste with black pepper. Top with sliced tuna and drizzle with the balsamic reduction.

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Over the next two weeks, I will be participating in the US Dry Pea and Lentil Challenge by posting several gluten-free recipes featuring dry peas and lentils (similar to the Recipe Rivalry challenge I participated in last year!). As a challenge participant, I received a stipend for groceries, samples of US dry peas and lentils, and some cooking supplies from the US Dry Pea and Lentil Council. At the end of the challenge, there will be an opportunity for you to help me win a prize — and to win a prize of your own. I was not compensated in any other way for this post. As always, all opinions are my own and all recipes are original.

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I’m submitting this post to Souper Sundays at Kahakai Kitchen

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16 Responses to Lentil and Strawberry Salad with Pepper-Crusted Tuna

  1. UsmanMay 17, 2011 at 7:33 am

    Sounds delicious but what lentils did you use? There are so many different ones avsilsble here in market. I will give it a try for sure

    Reply
    • LaurenMay 17, 2011 at 11:01 am

      You’re so lucky to have so many varieties available to you! My store usually only has one or two options. :(

      I used brown lentils in this recipe, which (in my experience) are the easiest to find.

      Reply
  2. Lindsay @eat, knit, growMay 17, 2011 at 8:25 am

    Wow! What a beautiful meal! It looks so amazing!

    Reply
  3. natalie (the sweets life)May 17, 2011 at 11:01 am

    i love tuna and have never tried making it at home. this sounds SO good!

    Reply
  4. HeatherMay 17, 2011 at 11:01 am

    I have to say, this is the best looking recipe I have seen in a while. Mainly because of your presentation, and the fact that I LOVE seared tuna, and strawberry salads :) Lovely dish darlin!!

    Reply
  5. JoanneMay 17, 2011 at 1:51 pm

    I am in LOVE with the strawberry balsamic combo lately, especially in savory applications! I’m so glad this turned out because now I’m dying to make it!

    Reply
  6. Angie@AngiesrecipesMay 17, 2011 at 2:17 pm

    A very beautiful and delicious looking salad! Pepper encrusted tunas look mouthwatering.

    Reply
  7. Neil ButterfieldMay 17, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    sounds like a very different type of dish mixing fruit with savory food.

    Reply
  8. torviewtorontoMay 17, 2011 at 9:44 pm

    colourful delicious meal

    Reply
  9. KK @ Preppy Pink CrocodileMay 17, 2011 at 11:23 pm

    YUM! Everything about that salad looks delish.

    Reply
  10. Ally @ omnomally.comMay 18, 2011 at 5:25 pm

    This looks absolutely devine! The ingredients, the combination of colours in the dish and the beautiful black pepper crust on the tuna – I will definately be adding this to my ‘recipes-to-do’ list!

    Reply
  11. Mary @ Delightful BitefulsMay 19, 2011 at 4:07 pm

    I love everything about this dish! The ingredients and the colors just POP! Bookmarked to try soon!

    New to your blog; happy I found you!

    Mary
    http://delightfulbitefuls.blogspot.com/

    Reply
  12. DanaMay 20, 2011 at 9:01 am

    What an original combo of ingredients… I bet it’s wonderful!

    Reply
  13. HannahMay 31, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    I love this combination of lentils and strawberries! Very fresh and original. I’m new to your blog and am enjoying it.

    Reply
  14. AnonAugust 24, 2011 at 11:57 am

    really enjoyed this dish (have to admit I did not make a reduction dressing nor did I pepper the fish). Quick, easy, healthy and very tasty

    Reply
  15. afracookingAugust 31, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    Since I posted that last comment I started my own blog …and cooked this recipe many more times. It has become one of my go-to meals. Ofcourse I had to post it on my blog. Thank you so much for sharing it! http://afracooking.wordpress.com/2012/08/31/lentil-strawberry-salad-with-tuna/

    Reply

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