When I’m putting together a low-cost meal, I always shop in my kitchen before heading to the store. From my cabinets I pull out a jar of dried lentils and my trusty bottle of ACV (apple cider vinegar). Grab a couple of warm spices while I’m at it. Let’s use those roasted almonds too; and hey, look, there’s a package of golden raisins! The fridge yields a bag of sturdy carrots, some garlic, a jar of mustard, and a bunch of cilantro (but a quick trip to the store could solve a lack of these ingredients). Such pantry salads prove that a nourishing and hearty vegetarian meal can come together for less than $2 a serving—try doing that at your local fast-casual salad chain. For more heft, or to stretch servings further, serve with planks of feta, shredded rotisserie chicken, or cooked sausage. Bonus: Leftovers will last in the fridge for up to 4 days, so you can treat it as lunchtime meal prep (leave the almonds on the side and top when you’re ready to eat).
Recipe information
Total Time
45 minutes
Yield
4 servings
Ingredients
1½
2
½
3
½
¾
1
½
¼
¼
⅓
2
1½
1
Need to make a substitution?
Preparation
Step 1
Stir 1½ cups French green lentils, picked through, rinsed, and 2 Tbsp. Diamond Crystal or 1 Tbsp. plus ½ tsp. Morton kosher salt into a medium pot of boiling water. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until lentils are just tender, about 20 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
Toast ½ cup coarsely chopped salted, roasted almonds or cashews in a small saucepan over medium-low, shaking pan often, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
Step 3
Wipe out pan and cook 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced, and ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil in pan over medium heat, swirling often, until garlic is light golden, 2–3 minutes. Add ¾ cup golden raisins or dried cranberries and cook, swirling pan, until starting to plump, about 30 seconds. Add 1 Tbsp. ground coriander, ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper, ¼ tsp. crushed red pepper flakes (if using), and ¼ tsp. ground cinnamon; cook, swirling pan, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Step 4
Immediately transfer to a large bowl and mix in ⅓ cup apple cider vinegar, 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, and remaining ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt. Add 1½ lb. carrots (about 9 medium), scrubbed, trimmed, grated on the large holes of a box grater, 1 cup (heaping) coarsely chopped cilantro or parsley, and reserved lentils and toss gently to combine. If you have time, let salad sit 10 minutes.
Step 5
When ready to serve, taste salad and add more vinegar and season with more salt if needed. Top with almonds.
Do Ahead: Salad (without almonds) can be made 4 days ahead. Transfer to an airtight container; cover and chill. Store almonds in a separate airtight container at room temperature.