I love a good salad, but even more than that, I love one that is beautiful, colorful, and packed with planted based proteins.  Well, this one gives you all of that and so much more.  My warm beet salad is sweet, tangy, crunchy and just plain beautifully delicious.

This salad is a great way to go for getting healthy for the New Year! It’s loaded with vegan protein, antioxidants, detoxifying,  gluten free and high in fiber.  This is one beet salad you will make again and again.

Enjoy and always, Set the Table with Love! 🙂

2 cup of lentils,

6 cups water

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 /2 cup carrots, diced

1 garlic clove, peeled and diced

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

Beets and Apples

3 medium-size beets,  yellow, orange and red, tops removed,  peeled, scrubbed and sliced on a mandolin( save some of each beet to julienne, raw as a garnish, optional)

2 medium-size apples, chopped 2 apples chopped ( raw )

1 tablespoon olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Dressing and Salad

½ cup balsamic vinegar
½ cup good olive oil
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Leafy greens, spinach, kale or/and red or green lettuce
1/2 cup raw pumpkin seeds

1/2 cup walnuts

Cook the lentils according to container’s directions. Remove from heat and set aside.

Add olive oil to a sauce pan on medium heat.  Once the oil is heated, add mandolin cut beets and apples to the oil. Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook for about 3-4 minutes.  You want the beets and apples to cook, but not lose their crispy texture. Once cooked , set a side.

Meanwhile, whisk together the vinegar, olive oil, mustard,  1 teaspoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper and set aside.

Place the arugula in a separate bowl and toss it with enough vinaigrette to moisten. Put the arugula on a serving platter. Gently sprinkle some cooled lentils over the arugula.

Arrange the beets, apples and pumpkin seeds  on top.  Use your julienned beets and apples as a garnish. Drizzle with  more vinaigrette, if you prefer.  Add a little salt and pepper and serve warm or at room temperature.