This vegan Lentil Pomegranate Salad (aka Palouse Caviar) is made with black caviar lentils, pomegranate seeds, jalapeno avocado, lime- can be served over greens for a hearty vegan salad or with chips, for a festive appetizer dip. 

A take on "Texas Caviar", this Lentil Dip dip called Palouse Caviar is made w/ Northwest Palouse grown lentils, pomegranate, avocado, lime & served with corn chips for a festive healthy, vegan GF appetizer. | www.feastingathome.com

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.
Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Remember Texas Caviar – the bean dip with black-eyed peas, corn and avocado that tastes great on chips? This is kind of like that, only from our neck of the woods, an area known as the Palouse where we grow tons of lentils and chickpeas. Palouse Caviar can be served as a hearty salad, but I’ve been also loving it as a healthy appetizer dip –  served with little dippers (corn chips).

For a wintry, festive twist, I’ve been taking black caviar lentils and stirring in pomegranate seeds, beets, cilantro, jalapeño, and avocado with a little olive oil and lime juice. The bright pops of flavor from the pomegranate seeds with the earthy beets and lentils and just a hint of heat, make for a tasty, healthy appetizer option for New Year’s Eve gatherings.

Pomegranate seeds

Watch How to cut a Pomegranate | 2 min video!

A take on "Texas Caviar", this Lentil Dip dip called Palouse Caviar is made w/ Northwest Palouse grown lentils, pomegranate, avocado, lime & served with corn chips for a festive healthy, vegan GF appetizer. | www.feastingathome.com

If you’ve been following along with me the last few weeks, you will have probably noticed a pomegranate theme happening. The truth is, I’ve kinda rekindled my love for them lately.

Not only do pomegranate seeds add beautiful color, texture and bright juicy pops of flavor to almost everything, but they are also full of so many so nutrients and antioxidants. I’ve been a little obsessed.

A take on "Texas Caviar", this Lentil Dip dip called Palouse Caviar is made w/ Northwest Palouse grown lentils, pomegranate, avocado, lime & served with corn chips for a festive healthy, vegan GF appetizer. | www.feastingathome.com

Lentils are hands down, my super soul comfort food. Growing up, lentils were on the menu, perhaps a little too often. I’ve told you about my frugal Egyptian father before, remember him? Lentils are inexpensive and full of protein and so that’s what he cooked a LOT of at home.  I remember thinking as a kid, that when I grow up, I’ll never eat lentils again! Guess what? I’m all grown up, and surprisingly, I’ve come to crave them. So healthy and delicious. Sometimes we get stuck in a rut with lentils – and end up making soup, which don’t get me wrong, I love…but it’s good to mix it up a bit, isn’t it?

For other lentil inspiration try one of my favorite recipes ever, Indian Lentil Meatballs.

Or how about  Braised Lentils with Beets, or this vegan  Spicy Lentil Tahini Wrap or this Celeriac Lentil and Apple Salad or Lentil Tabouli.  Just some ideas to get you thinkin’. 😉

lentil-tabouli-6792-1

More Lentil Recipes you might like: 

A take on "Texas Caviar", this Lentil Dip dip called Palouse Caviar is made w/ Northwest Palouse grown lentils, pomegranate, avocado, lime & served with corn chips for a festive healthy, vegan GF appetizer. | www.feastingathome.com

As another year comes to a close, I’m reminded to pause, look back, and reflect. The underlying theme throughout my year has been surrounded around relationships and friendships and learning to see them with clear and fresh eyes. Removing the filters, so to speak.

We are dynamic beings, each of us changing from breath to breath. And so it is with our relationships. We affect each other. We are constantly changing. It’s easy to continue seeing someone, in the same old static way, once we’ve judged and categorized them. We make people small with thoughts of “good or bad”.  We even seek ways to justify our beliefs about people, deepening our prejudices, often discounting or minimizing any good qualities.

But we are complicated beings with many facets and layers.  When we have the courage to meet our own shadows with compassion, our capacity to meet others’ shadows with compassion will grow too.

It is only with the heart that one can see rightly…

Love and hugs,

Sylvia

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Lentil Pomegranate Salad (Palouse Caviar)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.9 from 7 reviews

Description

A refreshing Lentil Salad with pomegranate seeds, beets, cilantro and lime. Serve as salad or as an appetizer with corn chips.


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 3 cups cooked lentils (black caviar or french green)
  • 1 1/2 cups cooked beets, peeled, very small diced
  • 1 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1 cup chopped cilantro (tender stems ok)
  • 1/2 cup finely diced red onion
  • 1/2 a jalapeno, very finely diced
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 lime, zest and juice
  • 1 teaspoon cumin
  • 1 teaspoon coriander
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • Optional additions: diced avocado, feta crumbles

Serve over a bed of greens, or with Corn chips or Tortilla Chips for scooping.


Instructions

  1. Place first 6 ingredients in a medium bowl and toss to mix.
  2. Add olive oil, lime juice and zest, spices and salt.
  3. Stir to combine and allow this to sit 10 minutes for the salt to soak into the lentils.
  4. Adjust salt and lime.
  5. Top with crumbled feta (optional)
  6. Serve with corn chips or tortilla chips or over a bed of greens for big healthy salad.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 ½ cups
  • Calories: 407
  • Sugar: 13.6 g
  • Sodium: 484.2 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2.8 g
  • Carbohydrates: 46.8 g
  • Fiber: 15.8 g
  • Protein: 15.5 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

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Comments

  1. This is a lovely salad! Served it with cod in saffron broth. Perfect match. I will make this often, for sure. Thank you for another delicious recipe!






  2. Love this dip! It’s makes a lot for only 2 people so I repurposed it for my version of avocado toast. After heating it in the microwave and spreading on toast, I topped it with a slice of tomato, avocado, poached egg, feta cheese and Urfa Biber pepper. Very yummy and and an easy dinner. I will probably use some for sloppy joes and freeze the rest. Once again, a great recipe! Thanks Sylvia!






  3. I studied geography in college back east, and remember how unique the Palouse is, how ppl think it came about (cataclysmic flood). I love dishes with names like “Palouse Caviar”, love black lentils and pomegranate seeds and am looking forward to making this! Thanks for so many wonderful recipes!

  4. I LOVE this salad! The flavors and textures are amazing. I especially love the sweet juicy pop of the pomegranate seeds. What could I use to replace the pomegranate seeds when that fruit isn’t available?

    1. You could but what I would suggest is toss everything except the fresh herbs and pomegranates-and add those right before serving.

  5. Love this recipe! Our guests raved about it saying, “Amazing!” and “Incredible!”

    Thanks for another nourishing and tasty recipe, Sylvia!!






  6. Luxurious and delicious! Will make this again for a holiday party. I left out the jalepeno’s and substituted shallots for red onion. Fantastic and simple!






  7. I made this for a potluck party. It was such a hit! Love the flavors and fun name. Will definitely be making this again!






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