Lentil Avocado Salad

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 ribs celery, finely diced
• 1 carrot, peeled and diced
• 1/4 sweet onion, finely diced
• 2 cups French green lentils, picked over for stones and rinsed
• 1 bay leaf
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon agave syrup
• 1/4 teaspoon dried red pepper flakes
• 1/2 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 avocado, pitted and diced
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
• Chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, for garnish

1. In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat.
2. Add the celery, carrots and onions, and sweat for 5 minutes while stirring.
3. Add the lentils and cover with 2 inches of water.
4. Stir in the bay leaf and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 30 to 35 minutes.
5. Drain and season with salt and pepper.
6. Discard the bay leaf and cool.
7. While the lentils are cooking, make the vinaigrette.
8. Whisk together the balsamic vinegar, agave, red pepper, lemon juice and zest and some salt and pepper.
9. Slowly stream in 3 tablespoons oil while continuously whisking.
10. Pour the vinaigrette over the cooled lentils then fold in the diced avocado and cranberries.
11. Pour into a bowl, garnish with the chopped parsley and serve.

extravirgin olive oil, celery, carrot, sweet onion, green lentils, bay leaf, kosher salt, balsamic vinegar, syrup, red pepper, lemon, avocado, cranberries, flatleaf parsley

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/guy-fieri/lentil-avocado-salad.html (may not work)