Super Food: Lentils

Lentils are a superfood because they have a big bang for your nutritional buck.  High in fiber and protein, low in calories and fat, and very economical.  Last week was lentil week in our house, which is why this weekend we're having strawberry shortcake ice cream sundaes (more to come on that).  

Earlier in the week I made curried lentil soup, which I will not share a photo of, because it is completely unaesthetic.  I will however, share Oh She Glow's Power Protein Bowl with Lemon Garlic Tahini Dressing, because it's amazing and makes you feel like you can go run around your house 20 times.  Or at least, that you could if you don't have four feet of snow outside.  


First things first, precook your rice and lentils.  When you cook lentils, make sure to give them a rinse first because they contain small pebbles or dirt.  That is more fiber than you need.

Once rinsed, get them simmering on the stove.  I use about twice as much liquid as lentils, and cook for about 20 minutes, or until tender.

Next, get chopping and dropping into a large skillet with olive oil.

You start with the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and sundried tomatoes.  After these have softened for about 5 minutes, add in the cooked lentils, chopped tomatoes, chopped olives, baby spinach and the Lemon Garlic Tahini Dressing.  

Tahini Lemon Garlic Salad Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup tahini
• 1-2 garlic cloves, grated
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste

This dressing is going to make you happy, and you might feel compelled to put it on everything, as well as lick it out of the food processor bowl.  Be careful.

Serve hot, cold, or room temperature over rice with a squeeze of lemon juice.  Not the whole lemon, as I've shown in the photo, that was just for artistic accent.  For my next serving (tonight...), I'll sprinkle a little feta on top.  Once again, Angela is a bowl genius!