Bold Beet And Lentil Salad

 

Bold Beet And Lentil Salad

Fresh arugula, lentils and sliced beets are combined with fresh herbs and rich toasted walnuts and creamy goat cheese for a sweet, flavorful and hearty meal. This is perfect for guests, too - enjoy!

Ingredients

4 cups arugula (or baby spinach or any preferred salad greens)

1 cup cooked lentils (or quinoa or any variety beans)

1 cup cooked, sliced beets

1/4 cup toasted, chopped walnuts

2 oz. goat cheese (or blue cheese or feta)

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil

1 1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice

Directions

1. Divide the greens between two plates. Top each plate with 1/2 cup lentils, 1/2 cup beets, and 2 Tbsp. walnuts.
2. Crumble 1 ounce cheese over each plate. Sprinkle the parsley and basil on top.
3. In small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, oil, and black pepper. Drizzle half of the dressing on each salad.

This is one of my FAVORITE recipes in my DeniseAustin.com Member Meal Plan! It is chock full of nutritious ingredients including:

Beets

A healthy addition to any meal, beets provide folate, potassium, fiber and vitamin C. Known for their powers to help protect against heart disease, birth defects, and certain cancers, they are a hearty (and healthy!) addition to any salad!

Lentils

Want to get some protein in your meals? Reach for the lentils! They are a high-protein plant food clocking in at 18 grams per cup, cooked. Plus fiber, iron and so much more. I like how they add a bit of texture to this lentil salad - you can cook them from scratch, or find lentils pre-cooked and packaged in the veggie section of your grocery store.

Walnuts

These are a great source of omega-3 fatty acids - important fats that help to protect your cardiovascular system and minimize inflammation. They are also a brain-healthy food, and I add them to all sorts of recipes: oatmeal, pasta, and salads like this one!

Plus fresh herbs, lemon juice, arugula and more... The end result is a beautiful, hearty salad that you can serve for one or for a group of holiday guests! This lentil salad recipe is part of my Member Meal Plan - start your free trial today to see all the different recipe and meal suggestions I offer up! You can even customize your plan to fit your dietary needs and taste buds!!

Enjoy, and let's get fitter, together - inside and out!

Denise