Choosing Raw - Brown Lentil, Cucumber and Mint Salad

3/4 cup brown lentils

1 2/3 cups cold water

1/3 cup cucumber, cut in half lengthwise and then sliced paper thin

1/4 cup chopped mint

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

1/4 tsp sea salt

Dash pepper

1) Rinse lentils under cold water and drain. Place in a saucepan with 2 cups water. Bring to boil over medium heat, and reduce simmer. Cook until tender–this could take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on how old and/or dry the lentils are. Watch for all the water to be absorbed and the lentils to be very tender. Alternately, used canned, organic lentils! No shame there, and even faster.

2) Transfer beans to a mixing bowl and cool till room temperature. Add the cucumber, mint, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix, and serve!