Cut the onion in half and stick the cloves into it.

Rinse the lentils well.

Add the lentils, onion and cloves and the water to a large saucepan and gently bring to the boil.

Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for about twenty minutes.

Drain the lentils and discard the onion and cloves.

Chop the remaining half of the onion finely and combine with all of the other ingredients in a bowl, then add the lentils while still quite warm. Stir thouroughly to combine the flavours.

Finely chop the roasted red peppers and mix in to the lentil mixture before serving either chilled or at room temperature.