Talk about a simple dinner, you guys.
And I mean seeeeemple. So simple it almost makes you mad. So simple that when it almost made you mad, you got happy again because you realized that when you got mad, it wasn’t because of how simple this dinner was. It was in fact because you missed your calling in life by never auditioning for American Idol and getting to touch Ryan Seacrest’s abnormally small head. But instead you chose to dance and sing at a slightly inappropriate volume to “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” last night in a restaurant. With a stranger. And it got caught on camera. And tweeted.
I WAS JUST FOLLOWING WHITNEY’S ORDER.
But that’s neither here nor there.
This dinner right here. It’s that simple. And it’s incredibly delicious. So incredibly delicious that it almost makes you mad. So incredibly delicious that when it almost made you mad, you got happy again because you realized that when you got mad, it wasn’t because of how incredibly delicious this dinner was. It was in fact because you sort of wished you were wearing a different shirt in the photo that got leaked to the entire world last night when you were dancing and singing to “I Wanna Dance With Somebody.” Something about the stripes, the loose arms and the weird boat neck thing just isn’t doing it for you when you look at the photo the next day. The stranger’s shirt was much cuter. But you didn’t care at that moment because you were dancing with somebody in your time of mourning.
I WAS DOING WHAT I HAD TO DO.
But that’s neither here nor there.
This dinner right here. It’s that incredibly delicious. And it’s unbelievably healthy. So unbelievably healthy that it almost ma—- oh, ouch! That hook around my neck really hurts, man.
I’m sorry but that ricotta cheese on top really wants to be in your mouth.
I think we both know what you have to do.
Roasted Root Vegetables with Lentils:
What it took for 2:
* 3 carrots, sliced into 2-inch sticks
* 3 beets, cut in a medium dice
* 2 sweet potatoes, cut in a medium dice
* 1 tsp ground cumin
* 1 tsp smoked paprika
* 1 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
* 1 cup green lentils
* 1 Tbs. butter
* 3 dollops ricotta cheese (or more!)
* coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
* 1/4 cup parsley for garnish
Preheat oven to 400.
Toss the carrots, beets and sweet potatoes with the cumin, paprika, oil and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Arrange on a rimmed baking sheet. Roast veggies for 40 minutes, checking at the 30-minute mark.
Cook lentils in boiling water until tender, 20-30 minutes. Drain and toss in the butter. Stir to combine.
Serve lentils topped with roasted veggies, a dollop or 35 of ricotta cheese, another good pinch of salt and pepper, and fresh parsley for garnish.
Okay fine.
Aside from the beets, I am totally on board with this dinner. Simplistic and comforting- a winning combo. Does Ryan Seacrest have a small head? You know I’m googling it right now.
It wasn’t last night, but I woke up to I Wanna Dance with Somebody this morning on the alarm clock and I have been singing it all morning since. Get out of my head!
Haha love it, and love the last pic!
My fiance would love this – any excuse to eat lentils and he’s sold (I blame it on the family farming of lentils and all).
Fun fact – The Palouse region of Washington (where I consider home even though I live 300 miles away), in the early 90′s accounted for 90% of the lentils grown in the entire US. How about them legumes? (apples, didn’t quite seem appropriate.)
~Megan
This looks like a fabulous dinner I had a while back…one of those dinners that makes you wish you’d paid more attention while eating it so you could recreate it. Thank goodness I don’t have to now!
Ooh, this looks like a great (and easy!!) dinner. I love me some lentils.
Those root veggies look fabulous! Yum!
Pinned! Can’t wait to make this one!
This is my kind of meal, Bev. I’ve been roasting up my veggies and making lentils all winter long. Yesterday’s lunch was lentils with roasted brussels sprouts with a little bit of dijon mustard and sherry vinegar. Also, I think I’m going to listen to Whitney’s pandora station while I work today, all day.
Love the last pic!
And this is the type of meal that I can get into with the roasted root veggies…so good!
This puts the lentil I made last night to shame. They’re hanging their head and feeling sorry for themselves.
Simple yet delicious! I could have this for days
“Spice it Up”
There is little I love more than roasted vegetables. Simply delicious!
Yep, that’s all I wanted to see. You singing and dancing.
Oh, and I also ALWAYS want to see roasted vegetables. I’m so obsessed. I don’t think it would be weird if I sang a song about roasted vegetables at the top of my lungs while in a restaurant. With a stranger.
This looks delicious. Pinned and all set to make it very soon.
Happy Friday! As always, your post gave me a good, healthy laugh. You make me smile.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS!!
I’m always up for new lentil recipes. This is delicious!
Can’t wait to make this. It’s gorgeous!
haha fun picture!! the colors of this dish just light up the world!..ok, that was cheesy, but seriously love the colors of the dish.
Absolute and total yumminess!
What could possibly be wrong with a Dallop of cheese on top?
Roasted vegetables and lentils are so comforting. Yum
Yum, and yes please!
What a perfect healthy meal, love this!
I made this and it was delicious!! Thank you!
Lentils are a big part of our diet. This looks so good!
Made this for the 2nd time last night. Delicious!