Lunchhh timeee!
Now I’m normally totally fine just snacking on some fresh seasonal fruit and savoring erm inhaling a tasty protein bar for lunch.
But.
Occasionally I do crave a healthy as can be veggie-packed lunch like this guy right here!
Fresh veggies, juicy fruit + plant-based protein will leave you feeling fly and energized.
Did I mention it’s easy and flavorful?
All you have to do is whisk up zesty orange juice, extra virgin olive oil, dijon mustard (just a tad, don’t worry), pink sea salt, and cracked black pepper, then gently fold in diced tender beets and succulent orange segments. Grab a plateful of fresh baby spinach then top her off with cooked brown lentils and your dressed beets + orange.
Season with more salt and pepper then you’re all set!
P.S. I used Trader Joe’s refrigerated packaged cooked whole beets (whew that’s a mouthful) for a super easy fix. The beets taste just fine when dressed up, but if you have the time and energy pleaseee cook your own fresh raw beets for optimal flavor. I like wrapping them in foil whole, then roasting them directly on the middle oven rack at 425 until a knife inserted into the centers meets little resistance. Cool, peel, then chop!
P.P.S. Similarly, I picked up Trader Joe’s refrigerated packaged cooked lentils, which I would definitely use again. Simply squeeze them out of the package and break em up with a fork if needed. Yeah they don’t look super yummy in tha tummy but they are yummy in tha tummy. If you have dried lentils on your hands gently simmer those puppies with a lot of liquid (and maybe some aromatics) until tender, idk. Just apparently not salt—add that ish after they’re cooked to avoid meal mush.
P.P.P.S. Toss some orange zest to your salad for even more zesty flavor. Diced creamy cado would be scrumptious too, dang gurl.
Spinach Salad with Lentils, Beets & Orange
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
- 1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
- Pink sea salt, to taste
- 1 cup diced cooked red beets, about 4 small beets (I used Trader Joe's refrigerated cooked whole beets)
- 1 cup diced orange segments, about 1 medium orange (I used a Cara Cara orange)
- 2 heaping cups fresh baby spinach
- 3/4 cup cooked brown lentils (I used Trader Joe's refrigerated package of cooked lentils)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk the orange juice, olive oil, mustard, salt and pepper until well combined.
- Gently fold in the beets and oranges. If you have the time, allow the beets and oranges to sit in the dressing at room temperature for a half hour, or up to an hour.
- Arrange the spinach on a plate, then top with the lentils and dressed beets and oranges. Season with more salt and pepper to taste.