Lentil Power Bowl (Printable)

Hearty grains and tender lentils topped with roasted vegetables and creamy tahini for a satisfying plant-based meal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup quinoa or brown rice, uncooked
02 - 2 cups water or vegetable broth

→ Lentils

03 - 1 cup green or brown lentils, rinsed
04 - 2½ cups water
05 - 1 bay leaf
06 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Roasted Vegetables

07 - 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
08 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
09 - 1 zucchini, sliced
10 - 1 red onion, sliced
11 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
12 - 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
13 - ½ teaspoon ground cumin
14 - Salt and pepper to taste

→ Tahini Dressing

15 - ¼ cup tahini
16 - 2 tablespoons lemon juice
17 - 2 tablespoons water, plus more as needed
18 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
19 - 1 small garlic clove, minced
20 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Toppings

21 - 2 tablespoons pumpkin seeds
22 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped

# How To:

01 - Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
02 - Toss sweet potato, bell pepper, zucchini, and red onion with olive oil, smoked paprika, cumin, salt, and pepper. Spread on a baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and tender.
03 - Combine lentils, water, bay leaf, and salt in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer uncovered for 20-25 minutes until lentils are tender. Drain excess water and discard bay leaf.
04 - In a separate pot, bring 2 cups of water or broth to a boil. Add quinoa or rice, reduce heat, cover, and cook according to package instructions, approximately 15-20 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
05 - Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, maple syrup, garlic, and salt until smooth. Add additional water to achieve desired consistency.
06 - Divide grains among bowls. Top with cooked lentils and roasted vegetables. Drizzle with tahini dressing and sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and parsley. Serve warm.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It actually keeps you full: The combination of protein-packed lentils and whole grains means no mid-afternoon energy crash.
  • One bowl, endless customization: Swap vegetables based on the season or what's hiding in your crisper drawer.
  • The tahini dressing is pure magic: Creamy, tangy, and somehow makes everything taste like it belongs together.
02 -
  • Don't skip stirring the vegetables halfway: This seems small, but it's the difference between golden caramelization and unevenly cooked disappointment.
  • Tahini consistency matters more than you'd think: Start with less water and build up, because once you add too much, you can't really fix it without adding more tahini.
03 -
  • Batch cook on Sunday: Cook grains and lentils together, store separately in the fridge, and you've got the base ready for three or four quick bowls during the week.
  • The dressing is your flavor insurance: A generous drizzle of tahini dressing can make even the most mundane combination of leftovers feel intentional and delicious.
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