Lentils are a dream come true. They're quick and easy to cook from dried (no soaking needed), and there are so many great varieties that you could practically live off of lentils alone as a source of protein and complex carbs. Puy lentils, sometimes called French lentils or lentilles du Puy, are one of my favorite varieties, especially for salads and dishes like this one. They hold their shape brilliantly when cooked and offer a perfect mix of creamy, tender insides and well-behaved outsides. Here's what they look like.