When the weather starts to cool down, I usually swap my lentil salad for a more wintry version, the traditional lentils with sausages.

Lentils are a pantry staple that shouldn’t be overlooked—they’re nutritious and protein-rich. Beyond the classic lentils and sausage dish, I’m sharing today a lentil salad recipe packed with fresh vegetables and smoked salmon, which pairs beautifully with lentils.

Black lentils (also called Beluga because the small black grains resemble caviar) are a real discovery that I now always keep in my pantry. From a nutritional standpoint, they’re rich in protein and packed with vitamins. They hold up well during cooking and don’t require soaking, making them an ideal ingredient for a vegetarian yet satisfying starter or lunch!