Asian Lentil, Aubergine and Goats Cheese Salad- A REAL HIT

I was looking at old pictures of my Cafe.....gee do I miss the creativity, people and excitement it use to bring me. So how do I bring that back?  I thought the best way to "BRING it BACK" was to share my ideas, thoughts and creativity with you all. 

This Asian Lentil, Aubergine and Goats Cheese Salad was a real hit in my cafe. I thought I would share it with you:)

ASIAN LENTIL, AUBERGINE & GOATS CHEESE SALAD

Ingredients

1 Tbsp lemon Grass, finely chopped or ½  tsp lemon zest

1 tbsp Fresh ginger, peeled, grated and chopped

½ red chilli,  finely chopped

2 tbsp Olive Oil

1 Tbsp Brown Sugar

3 Tbsp Fish Sauce

2 Tbsp Lime Juice if not sour add a squeeze of half a lemon juiced.

1 Tbsp Basil, Chopped (optional)

1 Spring Onion, Chopped

1 Tbsp Mint, Chopped

1 Tbsp Coriander, Chopped

3 Cups Cooked Brown Lentils

2 Cups Rocket/ watercress/ lettuce or a mix

1 Cup Diced and roasted aubergine

1 Goats cheese Chevrille-sliced in rounds

Garnish with fresh coriander or mint

1.     Mix together the lemon grass, ginger, chilli, olive oil, sugar, fish sauce, lime juice, basil, spring onion, mint and coriander.

2.     Stir into the lentils and mix well. I sometimes allow it to stand for 24 hours to absorb the delicious flavours.

3.     Pour lentils into serving dish, sprinkle over rocket/ watercress/lettuce or a mix. Toss roasted aubergine over the salad, place goats cheese rounds ontop of the aubergine. Drizzle over Coriander Dressing (recipe below) and Garnish with fresh coriander or mint. 

Coriander Dressing

1 Tbsp Fish Sauce

2 Clove Garlic, peeled and chopped finely 

½ red chilli, chopped finely

3 Tbsp Coriander, chopped

2 Tbsp Mint, chopped

2 Tbsp Lemon Juice

1 tsp Honey/ Brown sugar

1 cup yoghurt (take out if you want dairy free option)

1 cup mayonnaise 

1.     Mix all the ingredients together.

2.     Pour ½  of the dressing over the lentil salad. The other half I use as a marinade for chicken.

((The picture has cherry tomatoes-I usually leave these out but it depends on what you are in the mood for:)