Did you know Montana is one of the United State’s top lentil producers? Montana grows nearly 73% of all lentils in the U.S. Lentils are versatile and can be eaten hot in soups, or even cold in salads! For example, this recipe for Big Sky Lentil Salad, featured in the summer section of the 2025 Local Food Guide, is a great way to enjoy lentils!
Big Sky Lentil Salad
Ingredients
SALAD INGREDIENTS
- 2 cups cooked Timeless Seeds Black Beluga Lentils® sold by Genesis Kitchen
- 3⁄4 cup dried cherries from Montana Bounty Foods
- 1⁄3 cup chopped pistachios
- 1 cup fresh arugula
- 1⁄2 cup feta crumbled from Flathead Lake Cheese
- 1⁄4 cup ribbon-cut basil
CHERRY-CINNAMON VINAIGRETTE
- 3 Tbsp basil-infused olive oil from Genesis Kitchen
- 1 Tbsp black cherry balsamic from Genesis Kitchen
- 1 Tbsp Snow’s Cherry Juice from Tabletree Montana
- 1 tsp dijon mustard from Genesis Kitchen
- 1⁄2 tsp salt
- 1⁄2 tsp cinnamon
- 1⁄4 tsp ground black pepper
Instructions
- Make Vinaigrette: In a lidded jar, combine all vinaigrette ingredients. Put on the lid tightly and shake vigorously for 30 seconds until well mixed. Set aside.
- Assemble: Combine the lentils, cherries, and pistachios. Drizzle 3⁄4 of the vinaigrette over and stir to combine. Just before serving, gently stir in the arugula, feta, and basil. Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette.
Notes
The lentils, cherries, and 3⁄4 of the vinaigrette can be combined the day before and refrigerated until ready to serve. Bring to room temp before assembling the salad.
This recipe was created by Genesis Kitchen. To honor the age-old saying “Let thy food be thy medicine, and let thy medicine be thy food,” David and Sheri Cohen opened Genesis Kitchen in 2012 to offer the best foods possible. Genesis Kitchen is stocked with hundreds of foods from small producers. They’re very grateful to be the final link that connects families and farms with people who care about what they consume. Visit genesis-kitchen.com or their store in Columbia Falls to fill your pantry.
