Lentils with Summer Vegetables

Greetings! First thing, I am so excited to be Foodista's Food Blog of the Day. They are highlighting my Coconut Chicken Fingers and I am so honored to be chosen. Foodista is an incredible space for foodies and I am thrilled. Head on over there and check out some of the amazing recipes, news and food features, like this guide to making lobster rolls.

I am on a lentil binge these last few weeks. After the yummy lentil cakes last week I decided I need more lentils in my life! Craig and I hit the farmer's market on Saturday, where I picked up some tasty eggplant, zucchini, carrots and cauliflower. These beautiful summer veggies inspired me to create a tasty lentil salad that would be healthy and hearty.

My original plan was to grill the veggies and then chop them up and toss them in a salad with some lentils. Unfortunately, the weather did not agree, so I threw them in the oven instead. I'm glad I did, because instead of smoky barbecue flavor, these veggies got incredibly sweet and crisp. For flavor, I tossed them with a light splash of balsamic.

I used french lentils (also called puy). I chose these because they are smaller and retain their shape better while cooking. To finish off the salad, I added some yummy fresh herbs and tomatoes from my garden! I am SO EXCITED to start harvesting and eating the crops we've been working so hard on for the past few months. I took a bunch of garden picks and will update you all later this week.

Here's what I picked:

Full recipe after the jump

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Lentil Cakes

Craig specifically requested I make lentil cakes today. I am happy to oblige, especially because I love lentils and enjoy coming up with new Meatless Monday recipes. These lentil cakes are really simple and inexpensive to make, but SO filling. The whole recipe could not be easier - you just cook the lentils with some veggies and flavorings and then shape them into patties and bake. I've also cooked these in a cast iron skillet, which works great as well.

This meal proved to be a wonderful healthy detox after a very indulgent weekend. Craig and I attended a wedding on Saturday that had the most amazing food. We both overate a lot of yummy food, so it felt good to have something hearty and simple.

Lentils are filled with fiber, iron and B vitamins. Additionally, they have the highest percentage of protein by weight of any play based food. Lentils are commonly enjoyed in soups and stews, but I like to add them to all kinds of things. I forgot to mention they are naturally low in calories! One serving, which is approximately two lentil cakes, has only 197 calories, 12 grams of protein and 13 grams of fiber!

I served these with some spicy ketchup, which is just equal parts ketchup and sriracha sauce. I think you could serve these with a number of condiments, but this was super simple and tasty.

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Lentil and Wild Rice Stew

So I decided to post twice tonight since the next few days are going to be CRAZY busy with work and holiday parties. It has gotten REALLY cold here in Boston. The past few weeks have been so nice and now I'm leaving the house with a hat and gloves every day! The one great thing about cold weather is that you crave soup. This weekend, I wanted lentil soup so badly I decided to come up with a new version!

This stew (or soup or stewp, whatever you want to call it) is super simple and very tasty. Lentils, wild rice, and some veggies combine for a filling meal that is light and healthy. The holidays can overwhelm you with indulgences, sometimes its nice to just enjoy a simple meal that isn't filled with calories, fat and/or salt. I also love this recipe because it makes ample leftovers that heat up nicely in the microwave.

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Lentil Stew with Potatoes

Lentils are one of the world's most consumed foods. In addition to being cheap and easy to prepare, they are packed with filling protein. One of the worlds best plant based protein sources, they are an excellent source of iron, folate and B vitamins. I love lentils because they are comforting and filling. This is a simple and tasty dish that full of flavor as well as nutrients. Lentils, potatoes and some veggies make for a a cheap stew. Flavored with balsamic vinegar, habenero and fresh herbs, it is a healthy comfort food. I usually make this once a week or so and the leftovers last for days. Sprinkle some parmesan and black pepper and serve with some green veggies for a complete meal.

Full recipe after the jump.
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Italian Lentils with Sausage

Lentils are consistently rated one of the world's healthiest foods. Filled with B Vitamins, folate, calcium and phosphorus, they are also a great source of protein and iron, making them a staple of vegetarian diets all over the world. This is a traditional Italian dish usually served on New Year's Day. Because lentils resemble small coins, it is believed that eating them will bring you good luck and prosperity in the New Year. My grandmother always made this dish, so it's one of my favorites and it makes a filling and nutrient-dense dinner. One serving has 35 grams of protein and 15 grams of fiber. It's worth the extra time to make ahead. You can get multiple meals out of a big batch.

Instructions and photos after the jump.
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