When I was a kid I used to have pepperoncini eating contests with my brother. You know like, who could eat the most without getting sick to their stomach? I guess thinking about it now, it was a little weird. But we loved pepperoncini so much.
We still do. Our little Italian American antipasto-eating hearts couldn’t be denied of pepperoncini peppers. But now I’m all about this pepperoncini salad dressing. It’s full of tang and zest and umami – it really has it all.
Eating pepperoncini sends me back to a carefree, familiar place. A comfortable, and childlike zone. Food is crazy like that, you know? And my friend, Laura’s new book gives me similar feels. The First Mess Cookbook is a beautiful extension of her blog which was one of the very first blogs I followed.
I started reading The First Mess in 2012 when I was studying to become a health coach while embracing a strictly vegan diet. It provided great inspiration and motivation to eat vibrant, seasonal foods in a way that was both nourishing and approachable. And it remains a favorite of mine still.
Plant-based or not, The First Mess Cookbook should belong in everyone’s cookbook collection. It is and will forever be a mainstay in mine. To celebrate Laura’s cookbook release I’m giving away a copy to one of you. Check out the book here and then leave me a comment below. I’ll choose a winner at random on March 10th at noon Central, and notify the winner by email. Contest is open to readers in the United States and Canada.
How to make this pepperoncini salad dressing.
First let’s start with the crunchy lentil part. It’s made with black lentils which are super study and provide a substantial texture. This salad is great for cold months because it is comforting and hearty. And it’s also great for warmer months because it’s also very refreshing.
But the pepperoncini salad dressing is what pulls it all together. It’s loaded with lots of tang and a little bit of heat, and it’s everything I want and more. Simply combine the pepperoncini with some acid, aromatics, salt, fat and a little bit of maple syrup in a blender. You should probably double the batch and drizzle it on everything. It’d be especially delicious on this roasted vegetable salad too.
Crunchy lentils with vegetables tossed in a tangy, pepperoncini salad dressing. A hearty, vegan and gluten-free lentil salad for anytime of the year. As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I may earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases.Crunchy Lentil Salad with Pepperoncini Dressing
Ingredients
Salad Ingredients
Dressing Ingredients
Instructions
Recommended Products
This giveaway is closed. Thank you Avery Books for gifting me an advance copy of The First Mess Cookbook.
Katy Hacker says
I want I want I want !
Rachel Zahniser says
Looks delicious! I would love to have a copy of this cookbook.
Sarah says
Would devour this book!
Ruth says
You’ve made me want to literally dive into my computer and inhale this salad!
Mackenzie says
It looks like a beautiful collection of recipes!
Betsy says
I love lentils. I want to make this salad and I want this cookbook for my shelf.
Deneen Mueller says
Will be making this salad for sure!
Sandy says
This recipe looks easy and delicious. I’m going to try it.
Mandy says
I’d love to try this recipe. I’ve never had a pepperoncini!
Bridgit says
Love the idea of the pepperoncini dressing! The book looks like, as you’ve said, a ‘must add’ to my cookbook collection. I’d love to win a copy.
Dee Johnson says
This looks like a great cookbook! I always love trying new plant-based recipes.
Beth P. says
I’m a fan of The First Mess blog too, and I would love to have this cookbook!
Allison says
Looks like my kind of cookbook, and would love to have a copy of it!
Lisa Michelle Gray says
This recipe looks amazing! The cookbook would be a super wonderful birthday gift for me!
Ashley says
So much anticipation for this cookbook! I especially love that you shared a lentil recipe – the little gems are the backbone to my cooking. I also have fond memories of pepperoncini and their prevalence in the Italian-American household.
Sonia says
Wow, I never thought of pepperoncini dressing! I love Laura’s blog too. Thanks for the chance to win this giveaway.
Jillian Brooks says
This would be great next to my Ottolenghi cookbook. So many plants, so little time.
SJ DC says
I love her blog and hope to win this delicious looking book.
Lauren says
Looks delish. I want that book!
Elizabeth W. says
Oh my gosh, I would love to snag the book and the recipe looks delish!
Mianna Harlepp says
Pepperoncini contests! So fun. And a yummy lentil salad. I can’t wait to make. Thank you!
Diana Ngo says
This looks and sounds amazing! Laura’s book has been blowing up all over Instagram. Can’t wait to check it out.
Wilma Stoy says
Lentils and more hooray! Who would not want another good cookbook. Waiting, and thanks.
Natalia says
So pretty, this book! it seems to be the book that everyone wants to have home. I have already seen some of the recipes from this book but so willing to have this book too. Love lentils and would be so eager to make this salad soon. Thank you so much!
Deborah Brigadier says
What’s not to love? Thanks for featuring this cookbook and this recipe.
Kelsey says
I have been wanting this book for sooo long! I love Laura’s blog, and she was one of the bloggers that revolutionized how I thought about putting meals together. That whole Midwestern meat and potatoes mentality was REALLY hard to overcome. xo
Jen S. says
My husband loves pepperoncini, so this recipe would be perfect for us. Yum!
Ali says
Would LOVE this book! I adore her blog, such creative and flavorful foods!
Cass says
Would love to have more recipes like this!
Janet T, says
What a wonderful combination in that recipe. I have to make it!
Mackenzie Jayne says
Yes please! I need to expand the plant based part of my cookbook shelf.
Karen says
Love lentils especially when covered with that delicious dressing!
Heidi says
I’ve been seeing this book all over the internet with a few tantalizing peeks at what’s inside. Would love to own it.
Molly S. says
Wow looks so good! I love ANYTHING pepperoncini.
Micah T. says
I’ve been wanting this cookbook so badly!
Amy Skemp says
Can’t wait to try this. It sounds amazing.
Harper says
I love pepperoncini peppers and crunchy salads. I can’t wait to try this recipe!
Heather Carlson says
You had me at pepperoncini. Can’t wait to try this!
Emily says
Would love to have a copy of this one!
Jacquie says
I also would really love to win this book.
Zoe says
Ohhhh looks so good.
Morgan Verble says
Everything looks so delicious!
Lyndsey says
What a beautiful book!
Cherie Hudson says
Wow! I love pepperoncini! What a creative way to use them. I also bought a bag of black lentils a couple of months ago and didn’t know what to do with them. Now I definitely have A recipe I am looking forward to testing out. Thank you for sharing and introducing us to what promises to be a wonderful cookbook.
Catherine H. says
This looks amazing! I cannot wait to try it out for myself. The cookbook looks wonderful as well.
Maria says
I would love this book!
Vitaliy says
Wow, that looks so good. Thanks for the recipe!
Stephanie says
Doing it.
Margaret G. says
Looks so good!
Lindsay says
Great idea! I’ve been looking for a way to use some leftover lentils that I bought for another recipe.
Melissa says
Looks like a great cookbook! Great recipes, pictures, everything!
Anonymous says
I love pepperoncini but my husband, not so much, so this would be all mine! I love The First Mess blog and would be honored to win this cookbook.
Sande says
Trying to add more lentils to our daily diet. This sounds incredibly delicious.
Liz says
Sounds like a great cookbook! Can hardly wait to try the free recipe, especially the dressing.
Naomi says
Looks delicious!
Judith says
This looks amazing.
Steph says
This book looks fabulous.
Hannah says
I follow her blog already and would love to have her book!
Julia says
The recipes look delicious!
Jackie says
I have been so excited for this cookbook to come out and have followed her blog for a few years now. Can’t wait to try the multi-grain pancakes.
Kate says
The dressing sounds delicious. I’d love this book!
Kat says
The salad reminds me of warm weather that I am longing for. Definitely will be trying it this weekend! Thanks for sharing.
Pia says
You know, what I really like about this is that it’s not just a colorful salad, but a colorful salad with some substance. And that’s definitely a good thing. Thanks for sharing, and go Laura! (keeping my fingers crossed, hehe)
Linda Zaworski says
Ohh! Ohh! Pick me! Pick me! I would love to have this book. I’ve been vegan for 17 months and still learning so much. My tastes have changed tremendously and I’m learning to love all kinds of new foods.
Jessie Snyder says
This is so beautiful Sherrie! I totally agree everyone should have this book in their kitchen if they enjoy food to any degree, it’s a work of art. I love your love for these peppers – I need to try them again! It’s been so long. Happy weekend to you girl, and thank you for all of the beauty you put out into the world each week! xx
Barbara K. says
This book looks great. New to vegan – this will help me get started on the right foot.
Natalia M. says
I’ve been seeing recipes from Laura’s book pop up on different blogs, and they all seem so simple and approachable. I want to make every single one of them.
Linda says
This is a fantastic looking book. I’m trying to eat more salads now instead of the pastas I usually go for.
Allison says
This looks delicious! I can’t wait to check out Laura’s book. I have been eagerly anticipating it for a while now.
Jill says
I’m making this tonight! I love Laura’s blog and am excited for her cookbook.
Karlie says
Really wanting Laura’s new book! She is amazing and I know her book will be too. Have a wonderful week Sherrie!
Laurie says
Making this salad right now – the dressing is amazing!
Roshni says
As a college student, lentil salads are one of my go-to lunches! This one looks bright and crisp, but also like it would fuel me through long days of studying. I know I’d love Laura’s book.
Diane H. says
Delicious!
Julie says
Every recipe I’ve seen from this cookbook has made my mouth water!
Amanda Bustos says
I love her blog (and yours!) and want this cookbook in my life!
Jeanne says
That salad looks delicious! I would love a copy of her cookbook.
Katie says
This salad looks divine! Thanks for sharing!