Wholesome Lentil Protein Bowls

By Amanda Paa – Updated January 7, 2017

January. The start of a new year, and my birthday month…… A capricorn through and through.

I’m a reflector, not a resolver. I’ve always thought the word resolution had a negative connotation, standing in as “you need to change. find a solution”. Not that change isn’t sometimes needed, but it’s also okay to revel in who you are, and what you have, right now. And the necessary growth we all experience to keep evolving who we are.

So 2017…. To more of the things that make you happy, and to finding new ones. To disconnecting in order to connect, face to face, with conversations and experiences. To more loving, and laughing. Happy new year, friends.

About these Wholesome and Colorful Lentil Protein Bowls:

They’re really a choose your own adventure, build it with what you’ve got, mainly leftovers, type of meal. But always lentils, and always roasted vegetables. Maybe an egg. Maybe quality meat if that’s your thing, my favorite being this juicy, cuban pulled pork. That recipe is here, which is convenient to make and use throughout the week for different meals.

The Easy Way to Cook French LentilsHealthy Pulled Pork recipe {paleo}Wholesome Lentil Protein Bowls ~ made with roasted vegatables, steamed greens. basically leftovers!

I piled mine high with roasted sweet potatoes and beets which I batch cooked earlier in the week, steamed kale, a few punches of fresh lime, and radishes. I love using this shallot vinaigrette to dress it, or for something creamy, this lemon tahini sauce.

And lentils! They’re similar to beans in terms of being a protein powerhouse, but don’t need to be soaked before cooking. For making bowls, or salads, I like to use french green lentils because they hold their shape when cooked, and have a rich, peppery flavor that adds to a dish, in addition to being really satisfying. I cook them the way I would pasta (unlike rice, you don’t need exact ratios because lentils don’t absorb water, it’s simply their cooking liquid), in a pot of simmering water, which also makes things quite easy.

Enjoy, xo

Wholesome Lentil Protein Bowls with Roasted Vegetables and Pork {dairy-free, gluten-free}Wholesome, Colorful Lentil Bowls: with roasted vegetables, steamed kale, and pork

Wholesome Lentil Protein Bowls
Recipe Type: gluten-free, dairy-free
Author: Amanda Paa
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
I love using this [url href=”https://heartbeetkitchen.com/amazing-salad-at-home/” target=”_blank”]shallot vinaigrette[/url] to dress the lentil bowls, or for something creamy, this [url href=”https://heartbeetkitchen.com/roasted-brussels-sprouts-lemon-tahini-sauce/” target=”_blank”]lemon tahini sauce.[/url]
Ingredients
  • 3/4 cup dry [url href=”http://amzn.to/2ivINQ5″ target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow”]french green lentils[/url] {affiliate link}
  • water
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 dried bay leaf
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • toppings:
  • your favorite roasted vegetables (i made sweet potatoes and beets)
  • a dark, leafy green of your choice (i used steamed kale)
  • if you’d like: [url href=”https://heartbeetkitchen.com/juicy-cuban-pulled-pork/” target=”_blank”]juicy, cuban pulled pork recipe[/url], or a poached egg
Instructions
  1. Add 3 cups water to a pot. Bring to a boil, then add lentils, salt, bay leaf, and garlic. Turn down to a simmer and cook for 35-40 minutes, until lentils are tender to the bite. Drain, and store in a container to use throughout the week.
  2. Build bowl using your favorite batch cooked ingredients like roasted vegetables, eggs, or quality meat. Top with vinaigrette, avocado, or a creamy dressing listed in ingredients.

 

Did you make this?

tag @heartbeetkitchen on instagram and hashtag it #heartbeetkitchen

January 3, 2017

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12 comments

  1. 2pots2cook

    Happy to find you and could learn a lot form you ! Have a healthy and prosperous 2017.!

  2. Ruby

    Yay happy birthday month!! I, too definitely consider myself a reflector when it comes to new years planning. I am all for the self-reveling. This beautiful bowl looks like the perfect way to start things off right :) xo

    • amandapaa

      revel in that magic in the upcoming year, girl! xo

  3. Casey the College Celiac

    Happy birthday month! I love power bowls, but have never had lentils before. Thanks for the inspiration!

  4. Alison @Foodbymars

    Obsessed with these ingredients!! So beautifully balanced <3
    HAPPY BDAY MONTH, CAPPY :) XO Miss your face!

  5. Sarah | Well and Full

    Happy New Year and Birthday month, Amanda!! I hope your 2017 is amazing! :)

    • amandapaa

      thank you Sarah! look forward to making more of your recipes too. xo

  6. Tori//Gringalicious.com

    I could totally go for a huge bowl of this delicious healthiness!

  7. Karlie

    Oh this sounds amazing! I just bought some green lentils and have yet to cook them up. What a simple weeknight meal. xo and happy birthday month!

    • amandapaa

      lentils are such a great staple to have. i’m sure you’ll get great use out of them! xo

  8. Abby @ Heart of a Baker

    Happy birthday month sweet friend! I’m so with you, let’s do more, disconnect and always eat more :) Hope I get to hug you again soon!

    • amandapaa

      eat more, share more meals.. i forgot that part! but definitely. xo