Sorghum and Lentil Salad with Mint

Filling sorghum and lentils make this a substantial salad even in small servings. Diced carrots provide color and crunch. Fresh mint and a simple dressing lightens and brightens these otherwise heavy ingredients with a summery zest.

Last summer I planted a little bit of mint right by our porch. I hoped the smell of mint would drift through our windows at the end of hot summer days. Mint's balmy perfume reminds me of a trip I took as a teen to Central Oregon. The days were super hot but at night the air cooled quickly. By the time we set aside our sweaty paperbacks and crept out onto the porch, the air would be thick with the scent of mint rolling into town from the nearby fields. It was nothing I had ever experienced before and I thought it was heavenly. I tried to recreate the effect. It hasn't worked exactly the way I hoped but I do have a happy crop of chocolate and traditional mint to play with in the kitchen.

For the latest edition of Going with the Grain I wanted to keep things light and breezy. This salad doesn't use very many ingredients but each one plays an important role in the complete dish. I picked sorghum and lentils to provide a wallop of fiber and protein in a small serving. The diced carrots provide a bit of color and crunch vital to the overall ascetic. Once you have coated everything with the oh so simple dressing and a generous heap of fresh mint and you will be a very happy (and full) camper.

Sorghum was new to me until very recently. It is another (gluten free) grain that is actually a seed from grass that originated in Africa but is now cultivated and grown all over the world. (source: Wikipedia) I really like the way the seeds plump up when they are cooked. The texture is nice and tender and the flavor is very mild so it can be seasoned any way you choose. Apparently this seed can be popped as an alternative to corn. You better believe I am going to try that ASAP (watch Instagram for updates)!

To learn a little more about sorghum watch this short video featuring Bob of Bob's Red Mill.

To read more posts in the Going with the Grain series - click here

Going with the Grain Sorghum Giveaway from Bob's Red Mill!! - this giveaway has ended.

The FTC would like you to know: Bob's Red Mill has generously provided all the grain featured in the Going with the Grain series.