French Lentil & Roasted Vegetable Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing

This vegan french lentil & roasted vegetable salad with creamy tahini dressing has four delectable layers. A bed of baby arugula is topped with protein-packed french lentils, roasted delicata squash and other savory veggies are strewn about the greens, and the most delightfully creamy tahini dressing is drizzled over top. 

I'm having one of those moments where I can't think of what to write so I opt to tell a silly story about my life, only I can't think of a decent story. Perhaps I've shared all of my embarrassing life moments already? Surely this isn't possible, but I'm drawing a blank, so instead of a story you get some cold, hard facts about... lentils.

Lentils are your friends. <-- That? That right there substantiates my statement about having writer's block. I'm sorry, but you're about to get more legume factoids than you bargained for this Friday...

1| Compared to other legumes, they're quite quick and simple to prepare. All you need is an easy-to-remember 2:1, water-lentils ratio and about 25 minutes.

2| They're full of soluble fibers that help capture and escort unwanted cholesterol out of your body.

3| Lentils are packed with Folate + Magnesium, which help keep your heart happy and healthy.

4| Thanks (again) to their high level of soluble fiber, lentils slow down digestion and stabilize blood sugar levels, which is especially helpful for those with diabetes or insulin resistance.

5| They keep you full and fueled for hours. 1 cup of lentils has 18 grams of protein and only 230 calories, so you're getting a lot of protein bang for your buck.

6| They're high in iron, which is always a good thing to be on the lookout for if you're vegetarian or vegan.

7| They're cute + delicious. I mean, let's be honest. Lentils are kind of cute, right? Tiny. Round. Precious.

8| Most importantly, lentils are delicious. Especially in this salad...

This salad has four delectable layers.

The first layer is a bed of baby arugula. Peppery, bright, and such a pretty shade of green.

The lentil layer is minimalistic in the most perfect way. French lentils are simmered in water until they're tender and plump. They have a wonderful peppery flavor to them and require very little seasoning if any. In this case, we've walked the season-less path.

The next layer is roasted delicata squash (the BEST), roma tomatoes, portobello mushrooms, and leeks. The delicata squash and leeks are sweet, the mushrooms are savory, and the tomatoes lend a bright acidity. It's a simple but balanced combination of veggies.

Lastly, a creamy tahini dressing is drizzled over top.

Similar to zucchini pasta, this salad provides hours of fuel without igniting a case of post-lunch sleepies. I've enjoyed it 1, 2, 3... three times for lunch this week, and I've been brimming with energy.

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5 from 4 votes

French Lentil & Roasted Vegetable Salad

This vegan french lentil & roasted vegetable salad with creamy tahini dressing has four delectable layers. A bed of baby arugula is topped with protein-packed french lentils, roasted delicata squash and other savory veggies are strewn about the greens, and the most delightfully creamy tahini dressing is drizzled over top. 

Course Salad

Cuisine Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, plant-based, Vegan

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

For the Lentils

• 1 cup french lentils
• 2 cups water

For the Roasted Vegetables

• 1 medium delicata squash
• 3 roma tomatoes, cut into eighths
• 2 portobello mushroom caps, gills removed and cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 leeks, washed, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• ½ teaspoon salt
• black pepper

To Assemble

• 8 cups arugula
• 1 batch Creamy Tahini Vinaigrette (see recipe below)

Instructions

For the lentils

• Thoroughly rinse the lentils.
• Add the lentils and water to a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a rapid simmer, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20-30 minutes (mine usually take 20 minutes). If needed, add in more water to ensure that the lentils are slightly covered by the water throughout cooking. They're done once they've become tender but not mushy.
• Once the lentils have finished cooking, strain off any excess water, transfer to a bowl, and let cool.

For the Roasted Vegetables

• While the lentils are cooking, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Slice the ends off of the delicata squash and cut it in half lengthwise. Use a spoon to scoop our the seeds and discard them. Leaving the skin on, slice the squash into ½-inch-thick pieces.
• Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Spread the squash, tomatoes, mushrooms, and leeks out across the pan. Drizzle with the olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Roast the vegetables for 30-35 minutes, tossing halfway through.

To Assemble

• Spread out a bed of 2 cups of arugula on a plate. Top with a ½ cup of the cooked lentils, ¼ of the roasted vegetables, and a drizzle of tahini dressing.
• This recipe makes 4 servings. If you have leftovers, store each part (i.e., lentils, vegetables, arugula, dressing) within its own container and refrigerate.

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5 from 4 votes

Creamy Tahini Dressing

Tahini, cold-pressed olive oil, white wine vinegar, filtered water, sea salt, and black pepper are whisk until emulsified into a super creamy, luxuriously silky, and perfectly tangy dressing.

Course Dressing

Cuisine Vegan

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 4

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons tahini
• 2 tablespoons cold-pressed olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 1-2 tablespoons filtered water or more as needed to thin the dressing
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

• Add all ingredients to a mixing bowl and whisk for 30 seconds, or until emulsified.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Notes

If you prefer more than 2 tablespoons of dressing on your salad, I recommend doubling the dressing recipe. As is, it makes enough for a light drizzle on each salad; however, if you're anything like me, you'll want to double it!