
Spicy red lentils with capers and currants is one of those salads that’s so good, in so many ways. Let’s talk about flavour. It is mildly spicy, with a clean fresh taste thanks to the currants and capers. It’s extremely portable which makes it great picnic fare.
The salad holds in the fridge for a good week which makes it perfect for lunchboxes or snack time. Not to mention it is extremely economical and super quick to put together. What’s not to like?

Lentils are high in protein and a great source of fibre, they are a “slow-metabolizing” carbohydrate the kind of carb that has so many health benefits. Combined with a yummy dressing, currants, onions, capers and parsley this salad just says eat me!
We really love summer for the wonderful salads made with the fruit and veg that are in season, however there are times that a salad like this Spicy Red Lentils with Capers and Currants just comes into it’s own.

Perfectly forgiving, this salad holds away from refrigeration for hours so the BBQ down by the lake or a picnic at the park isn’t spoilt with a soggy salad.
We recently took a double quantity of this salad to a picnic race day with a group of friends. Everyone brings a plate which makes entertaining super easy. As the salad is already dressed it makes for a no fuss effort.
Red lentils

Red split lentils cook quickly. Watch them like a hawk, as they can go from cooked to mush in 30 seconds as Belinda, whose recipe it came from says. We like the lentils to almost be ‘al dente’, so we cook them so they still have a slight bite factor.

Curry powder
We used a mild curry powder for the salad. The ‘Clive of India’ powder has nine different spices, and is a good all-round curry powder. Check the use-by dates on your curry powder container as the flavours can become ‘flat’ and lose its flavour the older the powder is.
Check out some more winning salad recipes

Click on the link for the recipe………….Tomato, Burrata, Basil and Prosciutto Salad

Click on the link for the recipe……Thai Mango and Lobster Salad

Click on the link for the recipe……. Mexican Prawn, Mango and Avocado Salad

Click on the link for the recipe…..Easy Egg and Bacon Potato Salad
What’s your favourite lentil recipe? We would love to hear from you in the comments below when you make this spicy red lentils with capers and currants.

Spicy Red Lentils with Capers and Currants
Spicy red lentils with capers and currants is a great little recipe. Quick to bring together, economical, everyone loves it, great for lunch boxes and keeps well in the fridge. What's not to like?
Ingredients
- 600g (1 1/4 pounds) dried red lentils
- 1 cup currants
- 1/2 cup baby capers
dressing
- 1 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- mustard powder 1 teaspoon
- 11/2 teaspoons curry powder
- 1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder
garnish
- 1 large red onion cut into thin slivers
- chopped parsley
Instructions
- cook lentils in a large pot of boiling water per packet instructions
- whisk all of the dressing ingredients until well combined
- drain hot lentils and add to dressing and toss to combine
- leave aside to cool
- add currants, baby capers, onions and parsley when lentils are cool
- mix to combine
- serve and enjoy!
Notes
- salad keeps for a week in the fridge
Nutrition Information
Amount Per Serving Calories 0Total Fat 0gSaturated Fat 0gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 0mgSodium 0mgCarbohydrates 0gFiber 0gSugar 0gProtein 0g
2 comments
In your introduction you mention curry powder but the ingredient list states mustard powder
Which one is correct
Hi Dianne, thanks for spotting our error. It should have read curry powder and mustard powder. Enjoy. Regards, Jen and Jo