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Simple Spoonfuls

July 28, 2020 · 5 Comments

Cherry Lentil Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing

Dinner· Lunch· Salads and Sides· Vegetarian

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If you’re like me and prefer a salad that is less about the leafy greens and more about an entire orchestra of flavors and textures, then this lentil salad recipe is for you!  Lentils bulk up this dish with lots of healthy protein and nutrients while summer fresh cherries add a sweetness that take this salad to the next level. The delicious honey balsamic dressing is something you’ll want to have in your fridge at all times!

white bowl filled with cherry lentil salad

A LENTIL SALAD RECIPE YOU CAN MEAL PREP

I need to get on my soap box here and say: lentils are the most underrated item in your pantry.  They are so good!  I don’t understand why the aren’t on the front of people’s minds when it comes to meal prepping.  For my weekly meals, I focus on batch cooking one carb.  I usually rotate between: quinoa, brown rice, barley, couscous, and LENTILS!  

lentils draining in a colander

Lentils are perfect for meal prep because they hold their shape and texture really well without getting mushy, and they soak up vinaigrettes beautifully.  I also like to prep at least a double batch of the honey balsamic dressing because it’s THAT good!  I love tossing it with a green salad or drizzling over chicken breast.  You’ll want to keep it on hand in your fridge at all times!

I used a few shortcuts in this recipe in order to pull it together in just 10 minutes!  Using rotisserie chicken meant I could add a lean protein, but it’s equally as good vegetarian style.  I opted for the Trader Joe’s pre-steamed lentils because all I had to do was take them out of the package and give them a quick rinse in a colander.  I kept them cold for this salad but you could also warm them up in the microwave for a minute and a half.  

box of pre cooked lentils from trader joes

From there, just assemble your meal prep containers with lentils, leafy greens like arugula or kale, pitted and halved cherries, sautéed asparagus and goat cheese. Top with chicken for extra protein and drizzle with the honey balsamic dressing when you’re ready to eat!

meal prep container with cherry lentil salad topped with chicken

NUTRITIONAL BENEFITS OF LENTILS

Aside from being delicious, lentils are a nutritional powerhouse! Check out some health benefits of these legumes:

  • They are a heart healthy source of folic acid, fiber and potassium
  • They contain the highest amount of protein originating from any plant. It’s roughly the same as red meat, chicken, fish and dairy.
  • They are packed with vitamin B, magnesium, and zinc
  • They are a great source of iron, which is of importance for those on a purely plant-based diet
  • Because they are high in fiber, they support healthy bacteria in your gut while keeping you regular
  • Because of the phytochemical they contain, they help protect against heart disease and type 2 diabetes
ingredients for cherry lentil salad in individual bowls

Ingredients and substitutions

I try to make sure that all of my recipes are incredibly versatile and flexible to meet your dietary and taste preferences. This lentil salad recipe is no exception! Here are some ideas on how you can customize it to make it yours!

  • Lentils-This recipe calls for pre cooked lentils but if you are to cook your own, I highly recommend black beluga lentils or French (puy) lentils because they hold their shape the best without breaking down and getting mushy.
  • Chicken-I added shredded chicken to this recipe to add extra protein and bulk, but you better believe it’s still great without it! Rotisserie chicken makes for a quick fix but I also find it to be great with a high quality canned tuna in olive oil or crumbled bacon.
  • Arugula-Any fresh green works well in this lentil salad, such as spinach, kale or even spring mix. I opted for arugula because I like it’s peppery flavor and it’s sturdy enough to hold up to the honey balsamic dressing
  • Cherries-I really like bing cherries in this recipe for their sweetness and their deep burgundy color. You could also swap out for rainier cherries, red grapes, or even dried cherries or cranberries in a pinch.
  • Asparagus-I love the addition of earthy asparagus in this salad but if you don’t have any on hand, I’ve also had great success with sautéed mushrooms.
  • Goat cheese-You know I’m a big fan of goat cheese but feta makes an excellent stand in as well.
white bowl with cherry lentil salad topped with chicken

Cherry Lentil Salad with Honey Balsamic Dressing

Katie Clack
Lentils bulk up this dish with lots of healthy protein and nutrients while summer fresh cherries add a sweetness that take this salad to a whole new level. 
5 from 1 vote
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Course Salad
Servings 4 servings

Ingredients
  

Lentil Salad

  • 2 cups cooked lentils
  • 2 cups fresh arugula
  • 3/4 cup halved and pitted bing cherries
  • 1 1/2 cups asparagus, cut into 1" lengths
  • 1 1/2 cups shredded chicken (optional)
  • 1/2 cup goat cheese
  • 1 tbsp avocado oil
  • 1 pinch sea salt

Honey Balsamic Dressing

  • 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper

Instructions
 

  • In a skillet over medium heat, add 1 tbsp avocado oil. Once the skillet is warm, add the prepped asparagus and sautee until al dente. You want to take the raw edge off without making it mushy. Season with a pinch of sea salt.
  • In the meantime, prep lentils as per the directions on the package. I recommend rinsing under cold water in a colander. If you're starting with dried lentils, rinse them first. Bring 3 cups of vegetable or chicken stock and 1 cup of dried lentils to a boil in a saucepan. Once water is boiling, reduce heat to a simmer and cook until lentils are no longer crunchy, and are tender but not mushy. About 15-20 minutes depending on the variety of lentils you have. Drain excess water and let cool.
  • In a small tupperware container, add all the ingredients for the honey balsamic vinegar. Shake vigorously to emulsify the dressing and combine everything together.
  • In a large bowl, add the lentils, arugula, cherries, asparagus, and chicken if using. Dress lightly with the vinaigrette to taste. Add goat cheese just before serving and gently toss.

Notes

  • The best lentil varieties for a salad like this are French, black, brown or green.  
  • Buying a rotisserie chicken at the store and shredding it makes this recipe come together in a pinch!  Other great protein options are tuna and bacon.
  • If you don’t have cherries, other good substitutes include red grapes or dried cherries.
Keyword cherry, lentils, salad
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Madison says

    July 29, 2020 at 1:08 pm

    This looks delicious – a perfect summer salad!

    Reply
    • Katie Clack says

      July 30, 2020 at 3:29 pm

      So good! My family hasn’t complained about me making it on repeat. :). I hope you try it Madison!

      Reply
  2. Chloe Helling says

    July 30, 2020 at 3:26 pm

    5 stars
    This literally has all of my favorite ingredients. Come cherry season here in Argentina I can’t wait to try this!

    Reply
    • Katie Clack says

      July 30, 2020 at 3:29 pm

      You and me both girl! Glad you love it!

      Reply
  3. Jett says

    August 4, 2020 at 9:40 pm

    My mouth is watering but looks so good

    Reply

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simple_spoonfuls

#ad I wanted to share my entry for the #beginwith #ad  I wanted to share my entry for the #beginwithjuice contest to create a recipe that uses 100% fruit juice. I’m SO proud of how yummy this cast iron blood orange chicken turned out! 🍊🍗

The blood orange juice,  chicken stock and caramelized red onions reduce down to a luxurious sauce that is delicious served over a bed of fluffy couscous.

This chicken is the perfect date night or entertaining recipe thanks to the gorgeous pink blood oranges. 🍊

Drop me a comment if you’d like the full recipe so you too can wow your family and friends! 💫

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I’m thinking about making this luscious red pepp I’m thinking about making this luscious red pepper pesto pasta for dinner tonight! The sauce is a spin on romesco in the most delicious way. 🍝

The feta, tomato and kalamata olives take it to the next level! But the best part is that the sauce is so versatile for other uses like as the base of a pizza, as a spread inside a wrap or burger bun, or drizzled over a roasted chicken breast. 🍕🍔🍗And it only takes five minutes to blitz it up in a food processor! 💪

What are y’all whipping up for dinner tonight?

#romesco #pestopasta #pestosauce #roastedredpeppers #roastedredpepper #pastasalad #pastaporn #pastalovers #pastalove #mediterraneandiet #mediterraneanfood #mediterraneanlife #mealprepideas #mealpreps #mealpreprecipes #mealprepinspo #foodblogging #healthyrecipeshare #easyrecipes #simplerecipes #simplespoonfuls #frommykitchen #frommykitchentoyours #whatiatetoday #whaticooked #pastarecipes #pastaofinstagram #carbsarelife #carbsoncarbs
You know that lonely bag of Costco cauliflower ric You know that lonely bag of Costco cauliflower rice sitting in your freezer?  Look how beautifully it transforms with a super easy cooking method my personal chef friend @skusnic taught me!  There’s no defrosting, no squeezing out excess water, no babysitting on the stovetop.  Instead, you let the broiler do the work for you! 

The high heat dries out the riced cauliflower so it gets toasty instead of soggy.  Once it’s at your desired level of golden brown, pull it out and dress it up with whatever flavors you have on hand.

I like to make mine into a keto-friendly, gluten-free rice pilaf with toasty pinenuts, garlic and parsley, finished with a shower of Parmesan. Yummm!  Video to come soon!

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I can’t tell you how excited I am to share this I can’t tell you how excited I am to share this dish with you! I was inspired by my friend Elena from @mamamiamangia__  and her beautiful Italian creations! 🇮🇹 

I’m not exactly sure what to name this recipe but it’s basically garlicky shrimp with white beans, sundried tomatoes and arugula. 🍤🍅🥬The flavor is amplified with lots of bright lemon zest and herby parsley. 🍋 A generous pinch of red pepper flakes brings just the right amount of heat without being spicy.  Best of all it’s gluten free and low carb.  It was so good we ate the leftovers tossed with linguine for dinner! Follow along in my stories to see it all come together!

I know I say this about all my recipes but you really should save this bad boy!  Not only does it taste like a million bucks, it looks like it too, and luckily its incredibly simple to make!

Mediterranean Shrimp and White Bean Arugula Salad

Half pound peeled and deveined shrimp (defrosted frozen is fine)
1/3 cup sundried toms, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp parsley, chopped 
Half can cannelini beans
 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
Pinch of Red pepper flakes
Sea salt and black pepper
2 tbsp Olive oil
Arugula

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a non stick sauté pan over medium heat.  Add peeled and deveined shrimp and sprinkle lightly with sea salt and black pepper. Add the four cloves of minced garlic. After about 1-2 minutes flip the shrimp once they’ve turned pink on the bottom.  Then add the beans, sundried tomatoes, lemon zest and juice and red pepper flakes. Cook 1-2 more minutes until shrimp is fully cooked and then remove from the heat.  Add the fresh parsley and toss well. In a big bowl, lightly dress fresh arugula with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and pepper.  Spoon shrimp mixture over the top and garnish with extra lemon! 

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Happy New Year everyone! 🥂I love seeing my top Happy New Year everyone! 🥂I love seeing my top 9 because to me it represents taking the first steps towards making my dreams come true.  I’m so proud of myself for putting my work out there despite the fact that I’m not at the level I want to be yet and I’m constantly fighting off the perfectionist little voice in my head.  Anyone else hear that voice?🙉

I love seeing the rainbow of color injected into my creations and it just makes me so.damn.happy. 🌈  I can’t wait to make 2021 MY year and to stop dreaming and start DOING! 💪🤘 I know it’s going to be a great year for you too!

I’m so thankful for each and everyone of you and I’m excited to show up for you every day! ❤️

Xoxo
Katie

#topnine2020 #topnine #topposts #foodblogger #foodbloggers #eattherainbow🌈 #eattherainbow #eatwithyoureyes #feastonthis #foodphotographyandstyling #foodphotography📷 #myrecipes #eatrealfood #jerf #simplespoonfuls #healthyrecipes #mealprepideas #buddhabowls
*Honey Coconut Chia Pudding with Blood Orange and *Honey Coconut Chia Pudding with Blood Orange and Pomegranate*

I was today years old when I discovered my love of chia pudding! 🙌 I’ve given it a few chances over the years but could never get the consistency just right and I couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about.  But I’m a sucker for a meal prep breakfast and was determined to figure this one out. 

Thankfully a fellow personal chef and longtime friend of mine @skusnic let me in on the secret of her ratios.  I still managed to botch her recipe because I can’t be bothered to follow a recipe to save my life (this is why I’m not a baker!) but it turned out fantastic nonetheless. 

I love how the bright winter citrus and tart pom seeds cut through the richness of the coconut. 🍊🥥And the honey adds just the right amount of sweetness to make you want to devour the whole batch! 🍯

🛑Make sure you hit the SAVE 👆🏻 button on this one!  I can’t wait to see how you customize it with your favorite flavors!

*Honey Coconut Chia Pudding with Blood Orange and Pomegranate*
2/3 can of coconut milk 
1/2 cup of milk of your choice (I used skim bc it’s what I had)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup chia seeds
1.5 tbsp honey or maple syrup
Pomegranate arils
Blood orange segments
Hemp hearts or flax seeds 

Combine coconut milk, milk, vanilla and chia seeds and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least six hours or over night.  Stir in honey and top with pomegranate seeds and orange segments. Top with hemp hearts or flax seeds (optional)

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Wishing you all the merriest Christmas! I’m so Wishing you all the merriest Christmas!  I’m so thankful for each and every one of you, especially this year.  During a time when we can’t be close to our loved ones, it makes me appreciate the connections I’ve made on here that much more!❤️❤️❤️ Love and joy to you all! 

Xoxo,
Katie
I don’t know about y’all but in our family, Ch I don’t know about y’all but in our family, Christmas breakfast is just as important as Christmas dinner!  Traditionally I make a strata because I can prep it all the night before and just pop it into the oven in the morning!  That way, I can enjoy our Christmas morning stress-free without fussing in the kitchen.

I’ve been making this bagels and lox strata for years and the flavor is out of this world!  Safe to say, it’s a family tradition.  I love using everything bagels for the extra flavor they bring to the table. Plus, you can’t go wrong with the flavors of smoked salmon, capers, and cream cheese. 

I throw a little spinach in the mix to amp up the green color and finish it off with fresh dill or chives for some extra herby goodness.  I think Chrissy Teigen has a similar recipe but this is my spin on things.

Everything Bagels and Lox Breakfast Strata
3 day old bagels cut into 3/4” cubes
5 eggs
1 3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 tsp dijon mustard
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 small shallot, minced
2 tbsp capers
6 oz smoked salmon or lox
2 cups spinach, torn
4 oz cream cheese
EBTB seasoning
Fresh dill

Combine the eggs, milk, parmesan, dijon, salt, pepper, shallot and dijon and mix until smooth.  Grease a medium sized casserole dish, scatter the bagel pieces around the dish and pour the egg mixture over the top.  Scatter the spinach pieces, lox, and capers and gently stir into the bagel and egg mix. Top with dollops of cream cheese and additional everything but the bagel seasoning.

Cover and place in the fridge for at least two hours, or ideally overnight. 
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, like a cake, and not with raw eggs.

Top with the fresh dill and serve!

#strata #breakfastofchamps #christmasbreakfast #christmasmorning #makeaheadmeals #everythingbagel #ebtb #everythingbagelseasoning #easybreakfast #whatiateforbreakfast #whatsforbrunch #brunchgoals #brunchideas #brunching #christmasbrunch #christmasmeal #christmasrecipes #holidaybrunch #holidaymeals #holidayrecipes #holidayrecipe #foodblogger #mealpreps #mealprepideas #breakfastgoals #simplespoonfuls #foodstylingandphotography
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