Earthy French lentils and spicy kohlrabi make a great combination for a cold summer salad! I know kohlrabi is weird looking and all knobby, but don’t be afraid. It’s crispy and fresh tasting and you’ll want to make kohlrabi salad once you try it.
Kohlrabi has been one of my favorite hard to find, and shall we say…more unusual vegetables since I was a child (or maybe young teenager? It’s been awhile!). Way back then in the dark ages of my youth, my dad had a great vegetable garden. He still does but I live far enough away that I don’t get to eat any of the bounty. 🙁
Anyway, one year he got some kohlrabi seeds. We had no idea what it was or what it tasted like but we were willing to experiment and give it a try. One taste and we were happy we did! After that we grew it regularly and it was a lovely, crunchy addition to our summer salads.
It was kind of a secret vegetable since no one else had it in their gardens and we never saw it in the store. Happily, that has been changing in recent years and, though I can’t always find it, sometimes I get lucky.
Since those days with dad’s garden, it has remained a crunchy addition to my salads whenever I do get lucky and find some. Think of it as a cucumber with a little spice to it or a very mild salad turnip. To me it has flavors and textures in common with both of them. But don’t worry if you don’t like spice! The spice is mild and just enough to give it some interest.
Funny story – Though I have loved kohlrabi for a long time, don’t ask me to pronounce it, since for some reason it still escapes me. I’ve been eating kohlrabi for decades and I still stumble over how to say it. I usually try a couple of versions when I have to ask for it at the farm stand. Pointing helps too.
I was thinking of those salads and of kohlrabi recently and I knew I had to come up with an updated, modern salad using it.
Because I found some at my local farm stand and I’ve been wanting to post a recipe for kohlrabi since last fall. I mean, the time had come and gone and come again! There was no way I could let another opportunity slip through my fingers. Not when I love sharing recipes for all sorts of weird vegetables with all of you. 🙂
The thing is that I usually just add kohlrabi to whatever green salad I’m making for dinner and I don’t make any special recipes for it. However, I am a food blogger and I knew with a little thought I could come up with something special. A recipe which could become a new family favorite, like my Green Bean and Goat Cheese Salad or my Cauliflower and Green Olive Salad.
Want to know more about kohlrabi? Check out my ingredient spotlight: what is kohlrabi for all the info on this great vegetable!
I looked around in my books and on-line for ideas, but nothing was really hitting me until I went through my archives and came across my Lentil and Brown Rice Salad. The moment I thought about earthy French lentils tossed with kohlrabi in a salad, I knew I had it.
Kohlrabi + French lentils would be the backbone of my salad!
French lentils are awesome in salads since they cook quickly and keep their shape instead of getting all soft like brown lentils. I also find that they have a little more edge to their flavor. A hint of pepper along with the earthiness you expect in a lentil.
This also means that you can’t substitute. It may take a little searching around to find them, but French lentils are worth seeking out.
A rummage through my fridge got me the rest of the ingredients – carrots, spring onions, parsley, walnuts, and goat cheese. These would all provide some crunch, color, and creaminess. I love simple dishes, but I also love to layer on the flavors and keep things interesting.
This is a salad I can pair with grilled chicken or some nice fish. One I can make at mid-summer (if I can find the kohlrabi) and right into fall since it’s substantial enough for colder weather. And it’s a great salad for kohlrabi to shine instead of just being tossed into whatever salad I’m making that night.
– Happy Salad Making, Annemarie
If you try my recipe for Cold French Lentil and Kohlrabi Salad, I would love to hear from you in the comments with your experience and rating! You can connect with me by subscribing to my emails (see the form in the sidebar or below the recipe card), liking my FACEBOOK page, or by following me on PINTEREST.
– Happy Eating, Annemarie
Cold French Lentil and Kohlrabi Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup French lentils
- 1 tbsp kosher salt
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 medium kohlrabi
- 1 medium carrot
- 2 green onions, or one spring onion
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts
- 3 oz goat cheese
Salad Dressing
- 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, finely minced
- 1/4 tsp cumin
- kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add the lentils, salt, and bay leaf. Lower the heat to a simmer and cook for 20 minutes, or until the lentils are tender but not falling apart. Drain and blot dry and then transfer them to a medium bowl.
- While the lentils are cooking, prepare the rest of the salad. Peel the kohlrabi, making sure to remove any tough or woody parts, and cut it into 1/2 inch dice. Scrub the carrot and cut it into 1/2 inch dice as well. Thinly slice the green onions right up into the dark green.
- Heat the oven to 350F. Spread out the walnuts on a baking sheet and toast them for 5 minutes.
- Add the kohlrabi, carrots, green onions, and parsley to the bowl with the lentils.
- Mix together the dressing ingredients. Toss the salad with the dressing and then top with the toasted walnuts and crumbled goat cheese.
Notes
- If you have very young and tender kohlrabi, you may not need to peel it completely. However, I have always peeled them since it can be hard to tell what parts are woody until you've started using the paring knife.
- French lentils are also called green lentils or Le Puy lentils. When you are looking for them you may see them under those names. If you can't find them at the store, you can order them on-line.
- I have seen some recipes which call for a longer cooking time for French lentils (around 40 minutes). All I know is that 20 minutes has always worked for me. Test your lentils at 20 minutes - if they are still too firm, give them some more time. I would check every 5 until I was happy.
Lisa says
This is a really spectacular salad that is crisp and clean, simple but flavorful. Also an ‘excellent the next day’ salad.
justalittlebitofbacon says
I’m glad you enjoyed it! And, yes, it’s great for leftovers/meal planning, I agree.
Shashi at Savory Spin says
I’ve looked at kohlrabi many times in the grocery store, but have been reluctant to bring one home – now I must – even if I don’t quite know how to pronounce it myself – in my head it’s always ” koh-l-rabeee” …am I close to what you think it’s pronounced as? 🙂
justalittlebitofbacon says
Heh. Pretty similar, though I have a tendency to try a couple of ways each time I have to say it. 🙂 And you can just add it to any green salad if you’re not up for making lentils.
Brian Jones says
I love kohlrabi and grow loads every year, it is also really common in stores over here in Hungary… Cut it into thin matchstick banners and add a quick pickling liquid is another lovely way to use it. This salad sounds scrummy.
justalittlebitofbacon says
It has yet to catch on here, but I am seeing more kohlrabi in the store, which I do appreciate. And, yes, pickling it is a great way to enjoy it!
Sandi says
I am so excited to see a recipe with kohlrabi!! This looks awesome.
justalittlebitofbacon says
It’s a sadly neglected vegetable. Thanks!
Emily says
I’ve been trying to eat more plant based lately and lentils are my go-to! This salad looks delicious!
justalittlebitofbacon says
Kohlrabi season is just getting into gear, so this a great time to try them.
Laura says
I always saw those Kohlrabi at the market here in France and didn’t know how to use it. This is a great Idea. I will try
justalittlebitofbacon says
I hope you give them a try. Kohlrabi is such a great salad veggie.