French Lentil With Broccolini Eggs (Printable)

Tender lentils, crisp broccolini, and jammy eggs in 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 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
08 - 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
09 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
10 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
11 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon 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:

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 to 25 minutes until lentils are tender. Drain, discard bay leaf, and set aside.
02 - While lentils cook, bring a separate pot of salted water to a boil. Add broccolini and blanch for 2 to 3 minutes until bright green and crisp-tender. Drain and rinse under cold water to stop the cooking process.
03 - Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Gently lower eggs into the water and simmer for 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, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
05 - Add warm lentils, broccolini, red onion, and parsley to the bowl with vinaigrette. Toss gently to combine and coat all ingredients evenly.
06 - Divide salad among serving plates. Halve the soft-cooked eggs and place on top of each portion. Sprinkle with goat cheese or feta if using, and finish with freshly cracked pepper. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Nutrient-Dense: Packed with plant-based protein and fiber from high-quality French lentils.
  • Texture Harmony: A satisfying combination of tender legumes, crisp vegetables, and velvety soft-cooked yolks.
  • Versatile Dining: Perfect as a sophisticated light main dish or a hearty side for entertaining.
02 -
  • Timing is Everything: Keep a close eye on the lentils near the end of their cooking time; they should be tender but still have a slight bite (al dente).
  • Peel with Ease: Peeling the eggs while they are submerged in the cool water of the ice bath can help the shells slide off more smoothly.
  • Fresh Herbs: Don't skimp on the fresh flat-leaf parsley, as it provides a necessary herbal brightness that balances the earthy lentils.
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