Refreshing Lentil Salad

Hello!  My first full work week since being on vacation is in full force and I have to say that today wasn’t all that bad.  An added bonus was that swanky boyfriend and I got to spend the morning together since he went into work l

ater than usual.  We did a good arm workout at my condo gym.  My arms are already feeling it.  Tank top weather is already here, so I need to get on it.

After an indulgent vacation, fresh and healthy are what’s on my mind for meals.  I came across this recipe on allrecipes that fit both of those just perfectly!  I made a couple modifications including not adding olive oil.  Although I think it would be good with, I tasted it before making the addition and didn’t feel it needed it

Lentil Salad (modified from Allrecipes)

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup dry lentils
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 2 minced hot green chili peppers
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped
• 2 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• salt to taste

Directions:

Place lentils and water in a pot. Bring water to boil, reduce to simmer. Cook for 30 minutes or until tender.

In a medium size mixing bowl combine lentils, chickpeas, tomatoes, green onions, green chilies, bell peppers, lime juice, cilantro, and salt to taste. Toss well.

Chill for 20 minutes. Serve chilled.

This recipe is filled with fiber and protein from the variety of brightly colored vegetables to the lentils and garbanzos.

And can I just tell you how quickly it came together!?!  With chopping and cooking the lentils, this meal came in under 30 minutes to make.

If you are looking for more bulk, I think adding another bean into the mix (perhaps black beans) would compliment the flavors or the lime and cilantro well too.

This would be perfect as a side dish, but was just what I was craving for a cool dinner entrée.  We are in the 100 degree weather already so this dish was much appreciated!!

YUM!

In other news…

I have been nominated for the Food Stories Award for Excellence in Storytelling!

I have to thank CJ at Food stories for the nomination!

How this works…

I am supposed to share one random thing about myself.  I also have to nominate 5 other bloggers for the award. 

It was hard to come up with one random thing since I’ve shared so many random stories with you guys over the years.  One random, and slightly embarrassing, thing is I still (try to) wear my retainers to bed at night.  I had horrible, I mean, horrible teeth growing up.  I had to first wear a retainer which led to braces, followed by a retainer.  I got a talking to by my dentist last time about the importance of STILL wearing my retainer since my bottom teeth have shifted slightly. Oops!  The boy also loved discovering this fact.

I nominate these fabulous 5:

Lexie @ This Aussie Eats

Kari @ Bite-Sized Thoughts

Brittany @ Blissful Britt

Caroline @ After Dinner Dance

Tanya @ Dine, Dash, and Deadlift

Anyone still wear a retainer at night?? Please say it’s not just me. What are your dentist’s gripes when you visit, if any?

p.s. stay tuned for a delicious giveaway tomorrow! 

Tagged as: award, food stories award for excellence in storytelling, lentil, lentil salad, recipe, vegan, vegetarian