Cranberry Lentil Salad

By devogirl

I’m reading more and more lately about the importance of a vegetarian diet for our bodies and the planet. I know that the healthier we eat the better our bodies run, which is especially true when it comes to children. I get a lot of emails from people with misconceptions about vegetarian diets. Chief among them are concerns about vegetarians not getting enough protein. To the contrary, by incorporating legumes (e.g. beans, lentils, peas, soy, and peanuts) into their diets and combining them with grains, vegetarians get all the protein they need.

We’ve been trying to eat a lot more legumes in our house lately and lentils are at the top of the list. Not only are they inexpensive and fast to prepare, they’re an incredible source of protein, dietary fiber and amino acids. They’re also inexpensive, which is a bonus when you’re trying to stretch your food budget.

The combination of the sweet of the fruit and the crunch of the nuts with the soft texture of the lentils makes a nutritious dish that my family flipped for — and no one asked where the meat was!

easy, kids, lunch, healthy, winter

Ingredients

• 1 Cup Lentils
• 1/2 Cup Dried Cranberries
• 1/4 Cup Parsley, chopped
• 1 Tsp Salt
• 1/2 Cup Walnuts, chopped
• Juice of 1 Small Lemon
• 2 Tbsp Olive Oil

Details

Servings 6
Adapted from weelicious.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. In a saucepan bring 4 cups of water and lentils to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook for 20-25 minutes or until tender.
3. Pour lentils into a strainer and rinse with cold water.
4. Fold all of the ingredients in a bowl and stir to combine.
5. Serve.

Leftovers go great on top of a salad!