Whip up this healthy salad in no time with canned lentils, or cook your own which will take a little longer. Buy a cooked chicken from your local supermarket, or throw something onto the barbecue. Fresh crusty bread and a bottle of vino, and dinner is ready.

3½ cups cooked lentils (or two cans, drained and rinsed)
 1 red capsicum (pepper) diced
 1 cucumber, diced
 ½ or 1 red onion, finely chopped
 ½ cup fresh chopped parsley
 Dressing:
 ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
 1 Tbs olive oil
 1-2 tsp Dijon mustard
 2 tsp maple syrup or honey
 1 clove garlic, crushed
 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Shake dressing in a jar, then mix everything together thoroughly.
Variations:
- add a diced avocado just before serving
 - use spring onions instead of red onion
 - use coriander instead of parsley
 - add some toasted pine nuts
 
 


