Easy Lentil Pilaf Dinner

                               

Looking for a healthy gluten free main course or great side dish?
Lentil pilaf is a perfect dish in the summer since it tastes great at room temperature.

Lentils are nutritional powerhouses that cook more quickly than beans , and do not need to be soaked overnight first. Perfect for dinner or summer parties.
This recipe is a keeper.

My friend Paula called me to find out what she could make with lentils?
She didn't want to make lentil soup in the summer but couldn't think of any other ideas!

I suggested this tasty lentil pilaf that is full of summer veggies,  easy to make, vegan and gluten free!

                          

I like this recipe because:

• Pilaf is vegan,  fast and easy to make, and has lots of  nutritious raw chopped veggies and aromatic spices, yet lentils have a mild flavor that most people like.
•  It's a great summertime entree or side dish when you don't want to turn on the oven. 
• The lentils can be made in advance too and you can then just assemble the recipe the next day.
• It's also an economical meal because a bag of lentils is usually less than a dollar. Can't go wrong with that.
• If you like your pilaf a little more perky, you could add some salad dressing to it, like an Italian dressing or some lemon juice and olive oil. 
• You could also add some chopped parsley, cilantro, chopped garlic or anything of your liking.
• For a more filling meal ,eat the pilaf over quinoa, brown rice, or even GF noodles.

Did you know that eating lentils may help lower your cholesterol and help balance your blood sugar? 

Lentils are a real food from nature and only real food provides real health benefits. 

• lentils are an excellent source of soluble and insoluble fiber which is known to help lower cholesterol and help manage blood sugar disorders.
• In addition, lentils provide important minerals, B vitamins  and protein. 
• Amazingly, they have practically no fat.
•  There are about 115 calories in 1/2 cup cooked. 
• Also, lentils are a good source of iron. 
• So, don't forget to incorporate these nutritional powerhouses into your family's diet.

When is the last time you ate some lentils? Isn't it time you tried them again. This is a light, delicious, and satisfying recipe . Why not try it?

Ingredients: 

2 cups of cooked lentils, cooled ( cook according to package instructions) 

1/2 cup carrot, chopped fine

1/2 cup red pepper, chopped fine

1/2 cup cucumber, chopped fine

1/2 cup marinated artichokes, chopped

1/2 cup celery, chopped fine

1/4 cup chopped sweet  red onion, chopped fne 

1/2 cup chopped parsley ( optional) 

1 tsp. cumin powder

2 Tablespoons of marinade from the artichokes or

2 Tablespoons of Italian dressing or oil and lemon juice

Directions: 

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Toss and eat at room temperature

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In general, the excellent nutritional benefits of lentils make them well worth eating . They are very versatile and taste great in  soups, salads, vegetarian burgers and entrees which you can find additional recipes on my blog.

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