High-Protein Meal-Prep Salad

• servings: 6 servings
• active time: 13 minutes
• total time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

1 cup uncooked French lentils (or brown, or green)

1 cup uncooked kamut (or farro, barley, or quinoa)

1 medium bunch kale (curly or lacinato, tough stems removed, chopped)

1/2 medium red cabbage (or green, white, or savoy cabbage, chopped)

4 green onions (thinly sliced, green and white parts)

Drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil (optional)

3 cloves garlic (optional)

1/3 cup raw pumpkin seeds (optional)

2 tablespoons hemp hearts (optional)

1 1/2 tablespoons capers (preferably low-sodium, rinsed, optional)

1/2 cup tahini

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 teaspoons Dijon mustard (or wholegrain mustard)

2 teaspoons maple syrup

1 teaspoon garlic powder

2 teaspoons dried herbs (marjoram, oregano, or Italian)

6 tablespoons cold water

2 lemons (juice, or to taste)

Directions

Cook the lentils and grain (farro, kamut, barley, or quinoa) separately according to the directions on the packet until al dente. Strain in a large fine mesh strainer and run under cold water. Set aside.

Cook the chopped veggies (optional): Transfer the chopped kale, cabbage, and green onion to a large saucepan. Add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and press the garlic into the saucepan. Cook over low heat for about 3 minutes, or until some of the kale is lightly wilted, stirring constantly.

Combine: Transfer the kale, cabbage, green onion, kamut, lentils, pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, capers, barberries, and long pepper powder to a large bowl.

Make the dressing: Combine the tahini, balsamic vinegar, Dijon, maple syrup, and garlic powder in a medium bowl or jar with a tight-fitting lid. Add dried herbs as desired. Whisk well until the tahini starts to seize. Then add the cold water, 2 tablespoons at a time. Add fresh lemon juice to taste.

For serving: Add the dressing to the salad, and freshly ground black sesame seeds.

Nutrition

• Calories: 473 kcal
• Total Fat: 17 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 11 g
• Sodium: 105 mg
• Total Carbohydrate: 61 g
• Dietary Fiber: 18 g
• Total Sugars: 10 g
• Protein: 24 g