Power Lentil Bowl

Ingredients

For the Lentils:

• 1 cup dried green or brown lentils
• 2.5 cups vegetable broth
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp smoked paprika

For the Bowl:

• 2 cups cooked quinoa
• 2 cups baby spinach
• 1 large sweet potato, cubed and roasted
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 avocado, sliced
• 1/4 cup pumpkin seeds

For the Tahini Dressing:

• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp water (or more to thin)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Cook the lentils: Rinse lentils and add to a pot with vegetable broth, bay leaf, cumin, and paprika. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 20-25 minutes until tender. Drain any excess liquid.

2. Roast the sweet potato: While lentils cook, toss cubed sweet potato with a splash of water or vegetable broth and roast at 400°F (200°C) for 25 minutes until tender.

3. Make the dressing: Whisk together tahini, lemon juice, water, garlic, salt, and pepper. Add more water if needed to reach desired consistency.

4. Assemble bowls: Divide quinoa among four bowls. Top with lentils, spinach, roasted sweet potato, tomatoes, avocado, and pumpkin seeds.

5. Serve: Drizzle with tahini dressing and enjoy immediately.

Why This Works

This bowl is a fibertarian dream:

• Lentils (8g fiber per cup cooked): Complete with protein AND fiber
• Quinoa (5g fiber per cup): A complete protein that’s also fiber-rich
• Sweet potato (4g fiber): Complex carbs with natural sweetness
• Avocado (7g fiber): Healthy fats with fiber included
• Pumpkin seeds (2g fiber): Crunchy, nutritious topping

Total fiber per serving: 18g - more than half your daily needs in one meal!