Healthy Side Dish with Lentils, Cauliflower, Spinach, and Balsamic Vinaigrette

This healthy side dish with lentils, cauliflower, fresh thyme and balsamic vinaigrette can serve double-duty as a meat-free meal too!

I'm always looking for ways to pump up the protein in my meals, especially if the meal is meat-free. This healthy side dish is a terrific example of my protein packing quest since lentils contain 18 grams of protein per cup, not to mention 16 grams of fiber. Mind Body Green shares the top 7 reasons (fiber and protein are in the list) you should add lentils to your diet, and since they're completely affordable and quick cooking, why not?

As I said, lentils are affordable and quick cooking and so are the bits of cauliflower and kale. I purchased pre-chopped cauliflower for $1.99 a bag - a terrific deal, right? Why chop cauliflower if I don't have too!

I keep fresh thyme on hand purchased in those small containers at the grocery store and put the bunch in a wrap of paper towel and zip lock bag. It lasts for at least a week that way, and adds lift to lentils which can be a bit heavy tasting.

A quick balsamic vinaigrette keeps my healthy side dish from drying out with all those beans and veggies and adds extra flavor needed to turn this side dish into a meat-free meal for my vegetarian friends.

With holiday gatherings going on all over the place, if you're hosting, this side dish recipe gives non-meat eaters a hearty option for their plates too. We served it with roasted chicken, making this a protein-packed dinner that kept me from wanting to snack as the evening rolled on.

Before I leave you this lovely Monday morning, don't forget to sign up for our RC Garcia Sweet Potato Cracker giveaway! We pick a winner Thursday and these crackers are very tasty and perfect for a New Year's Eve gathering, so don't wait!

Happy holidays! ~Kristi

Hearty and Healthy Lentil and Cauliflower Side Dish with Thyme and Balsamic Vinaigrette

Hearty and Healthy Lentil and Cauliflower Side Dish with Thyme and Balsamic Vinaigrette

15 minPrep Time

25 minCook Time

40 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

• ½ tablespoon olive oil
• ½ medium white onion, chopped
• 1 cup low sodium vegetable broth
• 2 cups cauliflower, chopped in small pieces
• 2 cups chopped kale
• 2 large bay leaf
• ½ tablespoon thyme
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cups lentils, cooked
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey

Instructions

1. Start lentils cooking according to package directions. Drain when cooked and set aside.
2. Preheat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Add the onion and cook for 3 - 4 minutes to soften.
3. Add vegetable broth, cauliflower, kale, bay leaves, thyme, and garlic. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring frequently, until cauliflower is just soft, but not mushy.
4. While vegetables cook, mix 1 tablespoon olive oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, and honey in a bowl.
5. Toss lentils into cooked vegetables with sauce.
6. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Notes

Food energy: 129kcal Weight Watchers Smartpoints 4 Saturated fatty acids: 0.56g Total fat: 3.59g Carbohydrate, by difference: 18.53g Total dietary fiber: 6.28g Protein: 6.89g Total sugars: 3.98g Potassium: 374mg Sodium: 178mg

http://motherrimmy.com/healthy-side-dish-lentil-cauliflower-kale-balsamic-vinaigrette/ If you're a Pinterest fan, don't forget to pin this to your favorite recipe board!