LENTIL SALAD
2 cups Dark Green Lentils
Bay Leaf
Salt
4 cups water
Wash and rinse the lentils, add to boiling water, add the bay leaf, simmer for approximately 20 ~ 25 minutes, you may need to add more water as it reduces, keep checking for doneness you do not want mushy lentils! Add salt. Remove the bay leave and add the following to the Lentil Salad.
4 Cloves Garlic minced
Roasted Red Pepper diced
1 Bunch Fresh Mint diced
Handful Parsley diced
Shallot Dressing: 1 shallot finely minced, Sherry Vinaigrette, EVOO, Pinch of salt.
Combine and toss into warm lentil salad with Peppers, garlic and mint. Let the flavors merry for at least an hour.
RICE~
Black Rice
1 cup Black Rice
2 veggie stock/or water
Rinse the rice and add to the stock, reduce and simmer on low for approximately 20 minutes, check that water hasn’t evaporated too much, I added more water to this recipe above, because I had to keep adding water when I cooked according to the package it wasn’t enough water. But it turned out excellent. Black rice is so unique and beautiful, I love the nutty flavor it adds to any dish. It was perfect with the lentils.
KALE~
Sautè Kale in EVOO in hot iron pan, as it turns bright green add a splash of water to steam, add a squeeze of lemon to keep it green and salt to taste.
ROASTED YAM/FINNISH POTATOES
1 Japanese Purple Yam
1 Bag Finnish Potatoes
Wash and partially peel Finnish potatoes, wash and scrub yam.
Mince finely together the following ~
Parsley, garlic and salt
Bake in a little water for steam at 450 for approximately 30 minutes, when water evaporates, oil potatoes add chopped Parsley, Garlic and Salt minced finely together~ add at 15 minutes of cooking. stirring into potatoes…. turning half way through, check for doneness. Cut the Yam in half and lay on the roasting pan for quicker cooking and carmelizing.
Added the Wedge Lettuce with special veggie dressing, no oil and it was divine! Will try to get a good photo of it tomorrow to blog, but in the meantime, try a buddha bowl! So easy to do! Protein, grains and a multitude of color you can’t go wrong! Love Lentils one my favorite foods, if you get the texture perfect they are amazing. The great thing about a lot of food is leftovers, this was even better the next night warmed with fresh Kale again. It’s great to make a lot so you have leftovers. 
Let me know if you try the lentils or any buddha bowl, would love to hear from you!