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High-Fiber Lentil Power Bowl with Easy Tahini Dressing

High-fiber lentil power bowl - featured image
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A quick, nourishing weeknight dinner featuring warm lentils, fresh vegetables, and a creamy tahini dressing. This bowl is packed with fiber and protein, comes together in under 25 minutes, and is perfect for meal prep.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed and picked over
  • 2 ½ cups water or vegetable broth
  • 1 bay leaf (optional)
  • 4 cups fresh spinach (or kale)
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cucumber, diced (English cucumber preferred)
  • ½ red onion, thinly sliced
  • ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • ¼ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • ¼ cup tahini (recommend Soom or Seed + Mill)
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice (fresh)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons warm water
  • 1 small clove garlic, minced (or ½ teaspoon garlic powder)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the lentils: Rinse lentils in a colander under cold water, picking out any stones or shriveled ones. Add lentils, 2 ½ cups water or broth, and bay leaf to a saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes until tender but still holding their shape. Drain any excess liquid and remove bay leaf. Set aside.
  2. Make the dressing: In a jar or small bowl, combine tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, warm water, minced garlic, salt, pepper, and cumin (if using). Shake jar vigorously for 30 seconds or whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning (more salt, lemon, or maple syrup as desired). If too thick, add another tablespoon of warm water.
  3. Prep vegetables: While lentils cook, halve cherry tomatoes, dice cucumber, thinly slice red onion, and chop parsley. If using kale, massage with a little olive oil and salt for 1 minute.
  4. Warm spinach (optional): Add spinach to a large pan over medium heat for about 60 seconds until just starting to soften. Alternatively, leave raw and let warm lentils wilt it.
  5. Assemble bowls: Divide spinach between two large bowls. Top with warm lentils, then arrange cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley on top. Sprinkle with feta cheese if using. Drizzle generously with tahini dressing (about 2-3 tablespoons per bowl).
  6. Serve immediately: Toss everything together before eating. Best eaten warm.

Notes

For meal prep, store dressing separately and add just before eating to keep vegetables crunchy. Toast lentils in dry saucepan for 2-3 minutes before adding water for extra flavor. Salt lentils after cooking, not before, to keep them tender. If dressing seizes, add warm water 1 tablespoon at a time and whisk. Use a wide, shallow bowl for best presentation.

Nutrition

Keywords: lentil power bowl, tahini dressing, high fiber, healthy dinner, vegetarian, meal prep, quick weeknight dinner

Find it online: https://spoonmira.com/high-fiber-lentil-power-bowl-easy-tahini-dressing/