Lentil Avocado Salad w/ Pesto Dressing

12/11/2013

Lentil Avocado Salad w/ Pesto Dressing

Who's been enjoying the holidays and all the delicious treats of the season? I know I have! Seriously. I can't help it, it's all around me! All of the amazing food blogs I follow are starting to post holiday dessert ideas and my sweet tooth is in heaven. I opened my cabinet the other day and a giant bag of Ghiradelli peppermint bark squares were staring right at me, practically begging me to eat a bunch of them. And I did. And they were delicious. Having this MAJOR sweet tooth, I've learned that it just doesn't work to deprive myself of treats or say that anything is "off limits". Instead I'm attempting to have a little bit of all the things I love, just in moderation, and balancing them with super healthy and satisfying meals, like THIS Lentil & Avocado Salad! When you eat healthy, fresh, and clean meals like this, there's always room for a little dessert at the end of the day, right?!

This recipe is the epitome of freshness. It's filled with protein, fiber, and omega-3s, plus it's super satisfying and filling . . . not like one of those measly salads that only fills you up for an hour. I went to dinner the other night with my friend Hannah at Le Pain Quotidien, one of my go-to restaurant picks when I need some healthiness in my life. I always order their Lentil Avocado salad and it's just so good, every time. So, I made my own (!!) and now all of you can make it too!

Ingredients
3 big handfuls of arugula
1 1/2 cups steamed lentils (I buy them pre-cooked from TJ's)
1 persian cucumber - diced
1 cup cherry tomatoes - diced
1/3 cup shredded carrots 
2 tbsp chopped scallions
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 1/2 tbsp ground flaxseeds
1/4 avocado - sliced
Salt & pepper to taste

Dressing:
1 TJ's frozen garlic cube - or 1 minced clove
1 TJ's frozen basil cube - or 1 tsp fresh minced basil
Juice from 1/2 lemon
1 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper to taste

Mix all salad ingredients together. For the dressing, crush frozen garlic and basil cubes with a fork, then add olive oil and lemon juice. Mix well until combined. 
Pour over salad, top with avocado, and serve with a slice of lemon on the side!

Hope you love this salad as much as I do! Let me know what you think!