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You are here Home » French Lentil & Roasted Vegetable Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing

10 Comments · August 15, 2014

French Lentil & Roasted Vegetable Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing

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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. 

French Lentil & Roasted Vegetable Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing

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...

French Lentil & Roasted Vegetable Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing

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.

French Lentil & Roasted Vegetable Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing

French Lentil & Roasted Vegetable Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing

 

French Lentil & Roasted Vegetable Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing

French Lentil & Roasted Vegetable Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing

French Lentil & Roasted Vegetable Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing

📖 Recipe

French Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Salad
Print Pin
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.

📖 Recipe

French Lentil and Roasted Vegetable Salad
Print Pin
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!

 

 

 

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Comments

  1. Kaitlin @ TheGardenGrazer says

    August 15, 2014 at 5:11 pm

    This is SALAD PERFECTION!!! The dressing to top it off sounds awesome. I'll take your advice to double it because I enjoying drenching my salads too ;) Could not be more excited to make this - headed straight to the grocery list as we speak! :)

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      August 15, 2014 at 5:14 pm

      I'm so happy that it's headed straight to your grocery list, Kaitlin! I'm also happy that I'm not the only one drenching my salads with dressing :) It's the best part! I hope you enjoy this one!

      Reply
  2. Celeste Jackson says

    August 16, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    5 stars
    So pretty! Can't wait to try it.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      August 17, 2014 at 10:00 pm

      Thanks, mom! I hope you love it :)

      Reply
  3. KF says

    September 05, 2014 at 9:38 am

    The dressing mentioned in the salad part says "LEMON-tahini," but no lemons are listed in the salad dressing ingredients.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      September 05, 2014 at 9:48 am

      Hi there! Thanks for catching that error. Originally, I had made a lemon-tahini dressing to pair with this salad, but wasn't happy with the flavor combination so I ended up pairing it with this creamy tahini dressing.

      Reply
  4. Chelsey says

    October 06, 2014 at 2:23 pm

    Hey I'm going to make this for a shower tomorrow. I'm wondering if I make the veggies and lentils today, should I reheat them upon serving tomorrow? Or do you like it cold? I also couldn't find french lentils so green will have to suffice.

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      October 06, 2014 at 9:36 pm

      Hi Chelsey! I'm so happy you're giving this recipe a try. No need to reheat the veggies or lentils; they're just as delicious served cold. I hope you enjoy it!

      Reply
  5. Planete says

    January 14, 2018 at 10:21 am

    5 stars
    As my english level is notre really good, I don't leave any comments. But I had to let you know that this salade is delicious ! I actually buy delicata only to make this salade. The tahini dressing is perfect and brings all the flavour togheter. Thank you for such good créations!

    Reply
    • Ashley says

      January 14, 2018 at 1:11 pm

      So happy to hear you're enjoying the salad so much, and thank you for taking time out of your day to come back and comment—means so much!

      Reply

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Psychologist turned plant-passionate recipe writer + cookbook author. Lover of animals, veggies + space documentaries. My name is Ashley, and I’m the writer and photographer behind Blissful Basil. Read More…

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